Nigeria to Gradually Ease Lockdown from Next Month 4th... Night Curfew to Remain in Effect

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Nigeria announced on the 27th (local time) that it will gradually ease the lockdown measures taken to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) starting from the 4th of next month. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and attention is focused on how this measure will affect neighboring countries.

According to AFP and other foreign media, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari stated in a national address that the lockdown measures imposed for more than four weeks in the capital Abuja and the largest city Lagos will be gradually eased. Nigeria implemented lockdown measures in major areas starting from the 30th of last month.

President Buhari said, "It is difficult to continuously endure the impact of lockdown measures while waiting for vaccine development," signaling this decision. However, a nighttime curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. will be enforced, and wearing masks will also be mandatory. For Kano State in the north, where unexplained deaths have surged, lockdown measures will be imposed for two weeks.

Inter-regional movement will be restricted. The Nigerian federal government plans to limit non-essential travel between the 36 states at the request of the governors. Meanwhile, Nigerian health authorities are investigating the exact cause of the sudden increase in deaths in Kano City.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.