UPDATED: Buhari Extends COVID-19 Lockdown In Lagos, Ogun, Abuja For 14 Days

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday briefed Nigerians for the second time on the efforts being made by the federal government to curb Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

Buhari, in the address aired on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), said the initial lockdown of 14 days declared in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja had been extended for another 14 days.

The president said: “Today, the cessation of movement, physical distancing measures and the prohibition of mass gatherings remain the most efficient and effective way of reducing the transmission of the virus. By sustaining these measures, combined with extensive testing and contact tracing, we can take control and limit the spread of the disease.

“Our approach to the virus remains in 2 steps – First, to protect the lives of our fellow Nigerians and residents living here and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners.

“With this in mind and having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020. I am therefore once again asking you all to work with Government in this fight.

“This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death. Mosques in Makkah and Madina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peter’s Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people. India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit. We cannot be lax.”