The Lagos State Government has issued fresh guidelines for the reopening of markets and shopping malls as part of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered gradual easing of the lockdown imposed on the Lagos, Ogun and FCT from Monday.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed, said all markets and stores in the various Local Governments/Local Council Development Areas across the metropolis will be allowed to open from 9 am till 3 pm on selected days.

He emphasised that everyone patronising them will be mandated to observe precautionary measures such as physical distancing and high levels of personal and respiratory hygiene.

Ahmed disclosed that malls will also be allowed to open with the provision that stores will maintain a 60% occupancy capacity at any point in time while ensuring two-meter physical distancing is maintained between a shopper and the next person in the store.

The Commissioner maintained that food handlers must also wear masks and hand gloves in markets at all times.

He directed shop owners must provide hand sanitisers and wash hands with soap and running water at all entry points, conduct temperature checks on customers and ensure that nobody is exempted from the process.

According to him, the guidelines are proactive measures put in place to curtail a possible spread of the deadly virus among traders in markets places and malls when the gradual ease of the lockdown commences on Monday.