Fresh guidelines for the reopening of markets and shopping malls as part of the efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19 have been issued by the Lagos State government.
President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the gradual easing of the lockdown imposed on the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States last Monday, and directives have been released on how small businesses should operate.
Speaking at a Stakeholders’ meeting at Alausa in Ikeja, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed, stated that all markets and stores in the different local governments/local council development areas across the metropolis will be allowed to open from 9am to 3pm on selected days.
Dr. Ahmed emphasized that everyone patronizing them will be mandated to observe precautionary measures such as physical distancing and high levels of personal and respiratory hygiene.
He disclosed that malls would also be allowed to open with the condition that stores will maintain 60% occupancy capacity at any point in time, while ensuring two-meter physical distancing is maintained between someone shopping and the next person in the store.
The Commissioner stressed that food handlers must also wear masks and hand gloves in markets at all times.
He directed that shop owners must provide hand sanitizers and wash hands with soap and water at entry points, conduct temperature checks on customers and ensure that nobody is exempted from the process.
Still speaking further, Dr. Ahmed said the guidelines are proactive measures put in place to curtail a possible spread of the deadly virus among traders in market places and malls when the gradual ease of the lockdown begins on Monday.
