HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NATIONAL ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI

 

For the general information of the public, highlights of the national address by H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the Covid-19 situation in the country, broadcast on Monday, 27th April, 2020, are extracted below:
a. There will be phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Lagos and Ogun States, effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020 at 9 A.M.;
b. This phased and gradual easing of the lockdown measures will be followed strictly with aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures, while allowing the restoration of some economic and business activities in certain sectors;
Furthermore, new nationwide measures are to be introduced as follows:
c. There will be an overnight curfew from 8 P.M. to 6 A.M. All movements will be prohibited during this period except essential services;
d. Non-essential inter-state passenger travel is banned until further notice;
e. Partial and controlled inter-state movement of goods and services from producers to consumers is allowed;
f. The use of face masks or coverings in public is mandatory; in addition physical distancing and attention to personal hygiene must be maintained.
g. Restrictions on social and religious gatherings remain in place.
2. The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 is to provide specific details and timing guidelines to allow for preparations by Governments, businesses and institutions. State Governors may choose to adapt and expand the guidelines based on their unique circumstances, provided they are in alignment with the general guidelines above.
3. Effective immediately, a total lockdown will be enforced in Kano State for a period of two weeks, with the deployment of necessary human, material and technical resources to support the state in controlling and containing the pandemic.
4. President Buhari also expressed the country’s deepest condolences to the families of all Nigerians that have lost their loved ones as a result of the Pandemic.
5. The President further commended Nigerians for the resilience, patriotism, patience and cooperation shown in the collective fight against the pandemic during this difficult and challenging period.
Embassy of Nigeria,
Paris, France
28th April, 2020