The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has ordered a temporal lockdown of markets in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with effect from Thursday 26, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello disclosed this in a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Minister said that only those selling foodstuffs, drugs and other essential products would be allowed to sell. However, those in these categories would adhere to the safety and prevent measures as advised by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Bello said that churches and mosques would not be allowed to have more than 50 worshipers in any of the worship centres.

The Minister said that emergency response team has been set up to response to cases. He added that the FCTA would work with the University Teaching Hospital, Abuja to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

He aslo disclosed that the General Hospital Zuba would be coverted to an isolation centre if the need arose.

Meanwhile, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma said that the police would ensure strict compliance to the directives.