FG releases guidelines for containment of COVID-19, ease of lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and FCT

The federal government has released the full guidelines for the containment of the Coronavirus pandemic, detailing the measures for gradual easing of the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory FCT.

The guidelines is in furtherance to the pronouncement by President Muhammadu Buhari in  broadcast of Monday, 27th April, 2020, in which he directed the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to provide implementation guidelines on the new measures to control COVID-19 pandemic.

The guidelines which was signed by the Secretary to the Federal government SGF and Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said the Federal Government  has decided that there will be a phased and gradual easing of the lockdown in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020.

The guidelines also make it mandatory for the use of non-medical face mask/covering for all persons while in public spaces.

Government further explained that Latex hand gloves should not be worn except for specific medical purposes;

Below is the full guidelines detailing the General Information to the Public; Guidance to States and Security Agencies; and Description of the types of activities allowed under Phase 1 (4th -17th May, 2020)

2. Following improvements in the multisectoral response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Federal Government of Nigeria has decided that there will be a phased and gradual easing of the lockdown in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020.

3. The easing of the lockdown will be characterised by the following enforceable actions:

• The mandatory use of non-medical face mask/covering for all persons while in public spaces. Latex hand gloves should not be worn except for specific medical purposes;

• The mandatory provision of handwashing facilities/sanitizers in all public places;

• All interstate travel is prohibited except for essential travels & services, such as: transportation of agricultural products, petroleum products, relief items, goods, commodities related to the COVID-19 response and persons on essential duty;

• Mass gathering of more than 20 people outside of a workplace is prohibited;

• There will be controlled access to markets and locations of economic activities;

• Mandatory temperature checks will be conducted in public spaces;

• Social distancing of 2 metres must be maintained between people in workplaces and other public spaces;

• Retention of the ban on all passenger flights;

• Religious gatherings are still restricted; and

• Mandatory supervised isolation of person(s) arriving from outside the country for at least 14 days.

• Anyone who presents a temperature of above 380C will be mandated to return home and call NCDC for evaluation;

• Anyone without a face mask/covering will be asked to return home and will be prosecuted;

• Anyone violating the curfew in a non-emergency situation will be prosecuted;

• Anyone attending a gathering of more than 20 people will be prosecuted;

• Institutions that fail to comply with these protocols and guidelines will be prosecuted; and

• Any member of the public who violates the ban on Inter-State movement as outlined in this guideline will be prosecuted.

Activity Recommendations & Obligation of Operators

Curfew  Imposition of overnight curfew nationwide from 8pm to 6am

i. May go out for work, to buy necessary foods and for exercise

ii. Movement between LGAs (except metropolitan areas) is strongly discouraged unless for critical reasons such as healthcare and work

iii. Avoid unnecessary contact with people

iv. Mandatory use of face mask/coverings in public

All inter-state travel for supply chain & services allowed, such as: goods, agro-products with a limited capacity of accompanying personnel, petroleum products, relief items, supplies, construction supplies, registered courier services (DHL, FedEx, etc) and security services

(Within State borders):

i. Ensure provision of hand sanitizers to all passengers

ii. Reduce occupancy to half for buses (maximum 50% of usual occupancy)

iii. Mandatory Use of face mask/coverings

iv. Mandatory temperature checks

v. Taxis to carry only 4 persons (driver and 3 persons)

vi. Tricycles to carry only 3 persons (driver and 2 persons)

vii. Daily motor park sanitation

viii. Travel should be between 6.00am and 6.00pm

i. Provide hand washing facilities

ii. Maintain social distancing

iii. Mandatory Use of face mask /coverings

iv. Mandatory temperature checks

v. Provide hand sanitizers and hand washing

vi. Should only open between 6.00am and 6.00pm

i. Mandatory use of face masks and social distancing

ii. Persons above age of 65 years and those with underlying chronic illness e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure are advised to remain at home

iii. Trucks bearing agricultural and animal products to be allowed easy passage

iv. Companies involved in food processing can commence operation

v. Ensure provision of hand sanitizers and hand washing facilities

i. Limit number to maintain social distancing

ii. Construction of critical roads to resume

iii. Waivers to be provided by State Govts to enable movement

iv. Mandatory use of face masks/coverings

v. Provide hand sanitizers and hand washing facilities

vi. Open between 6.00am and 6.00pm

i. Ensure provision of hand sanitizer to all employees and customers

ii. Limit staff physically working in the office to between 30% to 50%

iii. Limit number of customers to allow social distancing

iv. Mandatory Use of face mask/coverings

v. Encourage online banking

vi. Mandatory temperature checks

vii. Open between 8.00am and 2.00pm

i. Ensure provision of sanitizer and hand washing facilities

ii. Limit staff working to between 30-50% to maintain social distancing

iii. Shift work is encouraged; pharmacy shops may remain open overnight

iv. Mandatory use of face masks/coverings

i. Ensure provision of hand sanitizer to all employees and customers

ii. Limit staff physically working in the office to between 30% to 50%

iii. Government staff limited to essential workers and those from GL 14-17 on Monday/Wednesday/Fridays

iv. Limit number of customers to allow social distancing

v. Mandatory use of face masks/coverings

vi. Encourage work from home policy

vii. Mandatory temperature checks

viii. Offices to open between 8.00am and 2.00pm

i. Ensure provision of sanitizer and hand washing facilities

ii. Control entry to reduce number to ensure social distancing

iii. Mandatory use of face masks/coverings

iv. Temperature checks

v. Local authorities to determine date and time for opening of the neighborhood markets not more than 3 times a week

vi. Warehouses to open on neighbourhood market days to serve shops

vii. Abattoirs to open three days a week

viii. Ensure strict sanitation compliance

ix. Time of opening 8.00a.m. – 3.00p.m.

i. Ensure provision of sanitizer and hand washing facilities

ii. Limit number of customers to allow social distancing

iii. Mandatory use of face masks/coverings

iv. Ensure handwashing

v. Mandatory temperature checks

vi. Open 8.00a.m.-3.00p.m.

i. Not open to the public, encourage home delivery

ii. To remain closed to eat-in, until further evaluation

iii. Allow social distancing always

iv. Eateries to practice the takeaway system

v. Open 8.00a.m.-3.00p.m.

i. To remain closed

ii. The use of recreational parks, communal sports, concerts, social parties, movie theatres are suspended until further notice

i. All schools to remain closed till further evaluation

ii. Schools are encouraged to continue with e-learning and visual teaching

3. State Governments and Security Agencies are enjoined to ensure effective and strict enforcement of these guidelines.

4. The level of compliance with these guidelines will be reviewed in 2 weeks before additional guidelines for phase 2 is issued.