News24
26 Mar 2020, 19:41 GMT+10
Nigerians are bracing for a partial lockdown from Thursday as authorities try to contain the spread of coronavirus cases in the country of about 200 million people.
Markets, religious centres, schools, offices and leisure spots have already been shut in some states since last week.
MoreAt least 50 Nigerian soldiers killed in Boko Haram ambushNigeria imposes restrictions amid sharp rise in COVID-19 casesSouth Africans brace for 21-day lockdown as virus cases rise
On Tuesday, Lagos, the nation's commercial capital with an estimated population of 20 million, advised residents to stay at home and only permitted shops selling essential items like groceries, medicine and life-saving products to remain open.
"I urge that all travel to and from Lagos, whether by air or by road, be avoided at this time," Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Tuesday.
Many residents resorted to panic buying on Wednesday as they rushed to stock up on food and other essentials in the face of Thursday morning deadline.
In the nation's capital, Abuja, the government has implemented a similar directive that will come into effect on Thursday.
"I am happy with the directive by government. It enables me to spend time with my family and avoid contact with people who visit my office," said a worker in Abuja who did not want to be named.
"I work at the front desk and I have to attend to a lot of people daily. I was already worried at the level of exposure to suspected cases of coronavirus."
Nyesom Wike, governor of the country's oil capital, Rivers State, said he would close the state's borders to people crossing from Thursday evening. The state's capital, Port Harcourt, is home to the offices of some oil majors such as Nigeria LNG and Royal Dutch Shell.
The country has 51 confirmed cases of coronavirus and has recorded one death.
Some top government officials, including the chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, and a state governor have tested positive for coronavirus, according to local newspaper The Cable.
Some government officials have taken to social media to reveal they are in self-isolation after coming in contact with confirmed cases.
A member of the Nigerian army performs a temperature check on a visitor at the entrance of the Nigerian Army Hospital in Lagos [George Osodi/Bloomberg] Military deployment?
The Nigerian army is reportedly preparing to deploy for a coronavirus lockdown, according to sources close to the military.
Reuters news agency reported that the soldiers are expected to forcibly transfer the sick to hospitals across the country and enforce curbs on movement to try.
According to an army memo seen by Reuters, the military also plans to protect government food storage from looters.
The Nigerian army has not confirmed the plans.
With millions asked to stay at home, concerns have been raised about fiscal stimulus to cushion the effects on the informal sector which constitutes a bulk of the country's population.
Michael Babajide runs a business centre in Abuja and has three staff working for him.
"I earn daily income. Closing my shop is going to affect me greatly. I know it's for my health and the health of others but how do I pay my bills? I have workers' salary to pay too," he said. "If this thing lasts for much longer and we can't open our shop, I may be forced to sack my workers. I won't be able to pay them with no work to generate money," he told Al Jazeera.
The government is yet to announce measures in place to address the concerns of private businesses.
"The group under the poverty line, those that live by the day, how do you tell them to stay at home without providing for them? The government needs to intervene," Abuja resident Rita Egbujovbo told Al Jazeera.
Get a daily dose of Orlando Echo news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Orlando Echo.
More InformationISTANBUL/PARIS/BRUSSELS: As searing temperatures blanket much of Europe, wildfires are erupting and evacuation orders are being issued...
VENICE, Italy: Over the weekend, hundreds of protesters marched through the narrow streets of Venice to voice their opposition to billionaire...
PARIS, France: France is taking stronger steps to reduce smoking. A new health rule announced on Saturday will soon ban smoking in...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed Elon Musk's success has been built on government subsidies. Without...
EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...
BEIJING, China: China's national soccer team may struggle to stir excitement, but its humanoid robots are drawing cheers — and not...
EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida: In a landmark flight for three nations and a veteran U.S. spacefarer, a four-member astronaut crew launched...
The US president has vowed to stop Zohran Mamdani from destroying the city US President Donald Trump has accused Democratic mayoral...
Florida [US], July 2 (ANI): Spanish giants Real Madrid and German club Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday became the last two teams to...
Washington, DC [US], July 2 (ANI): Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have called off their relationship. Amid the split, they both 'want...
New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): The last two spots for the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup will be sealed by either Spanish...