Following the gradual easing of lockdowns in Nigerian states of Lagos and Ogun as well as the Federal Capital Territory, the government has directed banks, manufacturing companies, government offices among others to resume work on Monday, May 4, 2020.
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 gave the directive on Wednesday during an update on the pandemic situation across the country.
Making this known to journalists at a media briefing in Abuja, the National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr. Sani Aliyu, also gave guidelines for getting the economy back to life, albeit gradually.
According to Aliyu, banks are to operate between 8a.m. and 2p.m., while federal offices, food processing companies within the manufacturing sector and construction firms are allowed to open for business.
He stated, “Government offices will be allowed to resume from May 4, but it will be based on specific grade levels and specific days, so that we can reduce the amount of congestion that we might have in our government offices. We will be discussing further with state governments to make sure that we have a common approach to this.
“Banks will be allowed to open, but there will be a restriction in the opening hours to between 8a.m. to 2p.m. and together with all the preventive measures I have already mentioned.”
From the point of agriculture and rural development, he added, companies involved in food processing can commence operation.
“For the manufacturing and the pharmaceutical industries, we will encourage shift work and limiting staff to only 30 per cent to 50 per cent to maintain social distancing, and pharmacy shops may remain open overnight.”
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