UPDATE 2-Nigeria to impose precision lockdown in coronavirus hotspots

(Adds total coronavirus cases)
ABUJA, May 18 (Reuters) - Nigeria announced on Monday it
would impose precisely targeted lockdown measures in areas that
report rapid increases in cases of the coronavirus, while the
phased reopening of the economy as a whole would go ahead more
slowly than planned.
The government extended a full lockdown in Kano state, the
northern economic hub where authorities are investigating a
spate of mysterious deaths. Kano has the second highest number
of confirmed cases in the country after Lagos.
The government said its phased reopening of strict lockdowns
in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states would go more slowly than
initially planned, and the current phase of gradual reopening
would last a further two weeks.
Nigeria had planned to completely ease coronavirus lockdowns
in those states over a six-week period from May 4.
"Nigeria is not yet ready for full opening of the economy
and tough decisions have to be taken for the good of the greater
majority," said Boss Mustapha, chairman of Nigeria's
presidential task force for COVID-19. "Any relaxation will only
portend grave danger for our populace."
Over the past 24 hours, Nigeria has confirmed 338 new cases,
its highest daily tally, Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said.
Lagos state accounted for 177, with the remainder spread across
17 other states.
Mustapha said the government had identified nine densely
populated "high burden" local government areas which could be
candidates for "precision" lockdown measures. He did not say
where they were located.
Nigeria has imposed a nationwide curfew from 8.00 p.m. to
6.00 p.m., ordered people to wear face masks in public and
banned travel between states. Mustapha said the country would
step up enforcement of these measures.
As of Monday, Nigeria had 5,959 confirmed coronavirus cases
and 182 deaths.