Matilda Omonaiye/
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos Statenhas ordered the immediate shut down of markets, apart from those selling food, water and medical items.
The governor gave the directive at a press conference on the coronavirus situation in the state.
The closure is effective Thursday, March 26.
The governor said Lagos could not afford a total lock down because of the economic implication but measures needed to be put in place to check the spread of the virus.
Sanwo-Olu said, “All open markets and stores except for sellers of food and medicines, medical equipment and other essential life-saving products are directed to close from Thursday 26th, 2020 for the next 7 days.
“It is not a total lockdown, we still want people on essential services to go about their normal activities.
“We are trying to de-centralise markets in Lagos. This is why we want to use some of our closed schools as markets, so people can buy food and medicine without going a long distance.
“It is only when you are alive that you can talk about economics and finance.”
Out of the 42 confirmed cases of coronavirus recorded in Nigeria, 29 were found in Lagos.
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