Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has warned residents of the state not to flood the streets with the easing of the lockdown which begins today (Monday) in the state.
Sanwo-Olu, at a briefing on Sunday, urged residents of the state who could work remotely to remain at home unless it was necessary for them to be in their offices.
He said, “As I have always said, we are not in normal times, and these challenging times will very likely be with us for some time to come. As long as this pandemic is with us, the disruptions we have seen will continue in one form or another. We do not know when we will be able to resume what we once regarded as our normal lives, or even whether those times we are now nostalgic about, will ever come back.
“What we, however, know is that the only way forward is the path of discipline and sacrifice; strict adherence to all directives and guidelines regarding personal hygiene, movement, and public behaviour.
“We also know that we cannot plan far out into the future; instead, we must, for the time being, live our lives in short phases of time, and continue to adjust our behaviour and our responses as we go along.
“In these difficult times, let us strive to retain the essence of our humanity; kindness, selflessness, service. We must never take advantage of the uncertainty of the season to cheat or exploit people. Whether as employers, businesses, or service providers of any kind, we must do everything in our power to extend kindness and consideration to those we are dealing with.”
The governor reiterated that schools in the state would remain shut, while the curfew imposed by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in his nationwide broadcast would commence today.
“Starting today (Monday), May 4, 2020, for the next two weeks, there will be a curfew across the state from 8pm to 6am daily. All movements in and out of Lagos is prohibited, except for people carrying out essential services or transporting essential products such as agro products, petroleum products, relief items, construction materials and registered courier.
“All open markets and stores will be allowed to operate on alternate days between the hours of 9am and 3pm. Markets and stores selling food items will open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while markets and stores selling all other items, excluding food, will open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,” Sanwo-Olu said.
