By James Ameh
ABUJA: The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello has relaxed some of the restrictions imposed on markets in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He has therefore, approved the opening more sections in the markets to accommodate some other traders apart from those who deal on food items as well an extra day of operations.
Chief Press Secretary to the minister, Anthony Ogunleye who spoke in Abuja, said in a statement Sunday that Bello approved the new guidelines when he chaired a joint meeting of the FCT Covid-19 Emergency Response Team and the FCT Security Committee, as part of efforts to curtail the spread of the pandemic in the FCT.
According to Ogunleye's, "The meeting deliberated on the second phase of the ease of lockdown guidelines issued by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 generally and as they affect the operations of markets in particular
"Consequently, the meeting came up with the following guidelines which will guide the operations of markets in the FCT from Monday, May 25, 2020.
"With effect from Monday, May 25, 2020, the number of days that markets are allowed to operate in the FCT has been increased from 2 to 3 days in a week. Accordingly, all markets will now be opened on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am to 3pm.
"In addition to the sale of foodstuffs, the following additional sections of the market will now open;
"Agricultural inputs for farm activities such as sale of fertilizer, herbicides, seeds and agricultural implements; Building and construction materials; and electrical items specifically for construction
"Neighborhood selling points managed by the Abuja Markets Management Ltd which are restricted to selling only foodstuff, are to operate daily.
"All new sections of the market to be re-opened as indicated above must ensure decontamination of their premises prior to commencement of business.
"Market operators and customers must also observe all already established protocols of handwashing, facial coverings and social distancing;
"All other measures at curtailing COVID-19 in the FCT as contained in the guidelines issued by the FCTA on the 2nd of May 2020 still subsist."
