Four days after President Muhammadu Buhari extended the total lock down in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun states as part of measures to check the spread the Coronavirus, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has relaxed the order.
Gov. Abiodun told journalists on Friday in his Iperu-Remo residence that the decision to relax the lockdown order was due to the need to strike balance between public safety and welfare of the citizens.
Ogun has confirmed nine cases of Covid-19 and its proximity to Lagos, the epicenter of the outbreak in Nigeria led to the imposition of a lockdown.
The governor who appreciated President Buhari for “the painful but needful” decision to contain the spread of the disease ravaging the world, called on the people to adhere strictly to all the safety precautions that could stop the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
He explained that residents would enjoy the lockdown relaxation on April 20, April 22 and April 24 from 7 am. to 2 pm., adding that this would be reviewed in the subsequent weeks.
He said: “My dear fellow citizens of our Ogun State, we appreciate the serious health need to curb the spread of the virus and prevent those who have not contracted the virus from contracting it.
“But there is also the need to strike a delicate balance between public safety and welfare of the citizenry.
“In this regard, Ogun residents will have a window of relaxation from the renewed 14-day lockdown. It will be April 20, April 22 and April 24 between 7 am. and 2 pm. each day.
“This means that citizens are expected to remain indoors on April 18, April 19, April 21 and April 23,” he said.
Abiodun added that all interstate and international borders would remain closed during the period, while only essential service providers would be given chance to perform their duties.
ExpressDay recalls that President Buhari had in a national broadcast on March 30, announced the lockdown of the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states for 14 days. He extended the lockdown for last Monday for another two weeks as the cases in the country escalated.
The initial lock down was also pushed back by Ogun which began the implementation on April 3, four clear days after the President’s order.
