The Federal Government yesterday directed that food markets in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would be allowed to open daily for four hours, from 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.
This was contained in the guidelines released for the implementation of the lockdown policy approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the country.
According to the document released by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 In Abuja on Wednesday, as part of the measures to enforce social distancing and limit the spread of the coronavirus.
The Federal Government has decided that schools, organisations and businesses in FCT, Lagos and Ogun states will close effective from 30 March for an initial period of two weeks.
It explained that for the period of the lockdown, every person would be confined to his or her place of residence unless strictly for the purpose of performing an essential service, obtaining an essential good or service, or seeking medical care.
It said all borders linking the two states and FCT to the rest of the country would be shut during the period of the lockdown, except for the transportation of persons on essential duties, food, fuel, manufactured goods or donated relief items.
Other measures are: Mass gathering is prohibited, except for funeral services as guided by infection prevention and control regulations, for which social distancing rules apply and crowds are limited to not more than 20 persons.
Movement between and within the affected states and FCT is restricted except for workers involved in the delivery of authorised essential services, duties, food and goods.
Retail shops and malls must be closed except where essential goods are sold. Shops and malls that are open must enforce social distancing and hygiene measures in line with issued guidelines.
Any business or organisation providing essential goods and services must identify the staff who will perform those services.
Commuter services between cities and states including passenger rail services, bus services, e-hailing services, maritime and air passenger transport are suspended for the period of the lockdown in the affected states.
Limited transport services are allowed for the movement of workers, services and goods in response to COVID-19 and for the purpose of seeking medical attention or provision of essential services. Transport services available during the lockdown must implement social distancing and hygiene measures.
The essential services and businesses that are exempted are:
Private and public hospitals
Dental clinics (emergencies only)
Specialist clinics
Pharmacies and chemist shops
Opticians and ophthalmologists (emergencies only)
Retail: All should ensure social distancing and increased hygiene measures are in place. Food markets to open from 10:00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. daily)
Supermarkets and shops selling food and essential non-food items (groceries)
Shopping malls (only shops selling food and essential groceries shall open)
Food and drink. Food delivery services (no eating-in)
Logistics and transportation. Fuel stations
Registered repair garages
Company car services for essential staff
Post offices
Courier and distribution companies
Private security companies
Trucks carrying essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals and manufactured goods related to the COVID-19 response
Airline ground handling staff and essential aviation staff
Hotels with guests and/or hosting essential staff (no restaurants, bar services or night clubs shall open to the public)
Orphanages and homes
Banks: skeletal services to maintain ATMs, essential online operations and cash services.
Government institutions and public utilities
Electricity distribution and Transmission company
Waterboards
Waste management
Environmental Health Services
Telecommunications
Places of worship ●Small funeral services limited to 20 persons only
Agriculture ●Farms, distributors of food and perishable commodities
Manufacturing ●Manufacturers of food, drugs, pharmaceuticals and essential products related to the response
Aviation ●Cargo and specially approved flights only
Communications ●Telecommunication companies, newspaper, TV, radio and broadcasting companies
●Workers allied to this sector including newspaper vendors
Internet service providers
Legal and Security ●Public and private security agencies
Criminal justice and correctional services as necessary to maintain law and order
Diplomatic Missions, International development partners and honorary consulates ●Critical diplomatic staff necessary for essential embassy functions including security, consular issues, plant maintenance etc.
With regard to the carriage of passengers:
a. Ensure adequate spacing in between passengers
b. Clean and disinfect frequently touched parts e.g. door and window handles/buttons, steering wheels and dashboards.
c. Encourage passengers to frequently perform hand hygiene.
MARKETS
In order for markets to operate, state and local government authorities as well as leaders of market associations must take full responsibility for strict compliance with the following protocols:
1.Only shops and stalls selling food and groceries shall be allowed to open to customers between 10:00am and 2:00pm every 48 hours or less frequently.
2.All market associations must make provision for hand washing for all sellers and buyers. At entry and exit points of the market, both sellers and buyers must wash or sanitize their hands.
3.Each stall/shop in the market should ensure that their customers queue and are attended to serially while complying with social distancing measures and avoiding overcrowding.
4.All shop owners and staff must arrive and set up at least 30 minutes before the market is open to customers. Each store owner is responsible for cleaning and disinfecting their shops.
5.All markets should strictly comply with social distancing policies. A safe gap should be ensured between shop/stall owners and customers.
