Coronavirus: Lagos Govt Says It Will Extend Lockdown If….

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The Lagos state government on Saturday said it was mulling the extension of the fourteen day Lockdown the state is placed on by the federal government.

Speaking at a press briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the lockdown in the state will be extended if the need arises.

President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered a 14-day lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja to check the spread of coronavirus.

Some residents have bemoaned the austerity and hardship that comes with the lockdown, hence asking the government to review the restriction.

 

But the governor said it is the situation of things that would determine if the lockdown would be extended.

 

He said if there is need for extending it, he would liaise with the federal govermment.

 

“This is just day five. So, in the first 14 days, we still have about eight or nine days to go,” he said.

 

“So, I’m sure that it’s something that all of us, including the federal authorities will be reviewing. The lockdown was not only a directive of the governor; it was a national decision and it has national backing. So, if there is a need to extend, I can assure you that we will make the call.”

 

Meanwhile, Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, has said the lockdown which commenced on Friday, would be relaxed on Tuesday.

 

Abiodun had initially appealed to the president to give the state the grace of Friday for the commencement of the movement restriction.

 

Speaking with reporters at Iperu-Remo, Abiodun said the state would relax the lockdown for seven hours every 48 hours.

 

The governor also said the period of the lockdown would be used to fumigate the state public places such as markets, motor parks and other essential areas across the state.

 

“The lockdown will be total from now till 7.00am on Tuesday. The lockdown will be suspended between 7.00am and 2.00pm to allow for essential business activities,” he said.

 

“This 7.00am to 2.00pm window will be observed every other day therefrom that is, Tuesday instant, Thursday, and Saturday for the coming week.”