UPDATE 1-Nigeria to ease lockdowns in three states over six-week period

(Adds quote, details)
By Paul Carsten
ABUJA, April 29 (Reuters) - Nigeria will ease coronavirus
lockdowns in three states over a six-week period from May 4, the
head of the country's task force on the virus said on Wednesday.
The easing of restrictions in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states
will be split into two-week phases, said Boss Mustapha, the
chairman of Nigeria's presidential task force for COVID-19.
He was providing details after President Muhammadu Buhari
announced on Monday that there would be a "phased and gradual"
easing of the lockdowns.
The number of coronavirus cases has, however, continued to
rise. On Tuesday, Nigeria reported 195 new cases of the novel
coronavirus, nearly double the previous daily high. There are
now 1,532 confirmed cases and 44 deaths.
"The easing of restrictions and introduction of revised
measures do not amount to the end of this battle against
COVID-19," Mustapha said, referring to the respiratory disease
that the coronavirus can cause.
"Indeed, it signifies the need for more vigilance and
stringent compliance so that we are not lulled into complacence
capable of diminishing the progress we have made so far."
Sani Aliyu, the national coordinator of the task force, said
people may move around for work, buying food, exercise and
healthcare. Banks will be allowed to open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
and gatherings of up to 20 people are allowed.
But schools will remain closed, passenger flights will
remain banned, restaurants will operate only on a takeaway
basis, and all cultural events are cancelled.
Public places will need to require temperature checks, and
businesses can reopen only if they fumigate and decontaminate
their offices, enable social distancing and offer hand sanitizer
and hand washing.
On Monday, Buhari also announced an overnight curfew,
mandatory face masks in public and a ban on non-essential
interstate travel.

(Writing by Libby George; Editing by Timothy Heritage)