President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday announced a ban on non-essential inter-state travels until further notice as Nigeria.

The president, who made the announcement in a nationwide broadcast on Monday also announced the imposition of curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning from Monday, May 4.

“This means all movements will be prohibited during this period except for essential services,’’ Buhari said.

“State Governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for citizens”.

“The presidential task force shall provide sector-specific details to allow for preparations by governments, businesses and institutions”.

He stated, however, that partial and controlled inter-state movement of goods and services would be allowed as well as movement of goods and services from producers to consumers.

The president disclosed that the Federal Government would adopt an aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact-tracing for prospective carriers of the virus.

“We will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and personal hygiene.

The highlights of the new nationwide measures are as follows to curb the spread of COVID-19 are as follows:

1. Selected businesses and offices can open from 9am to 6pm;
2. There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all movements are will be prohibited during this period except essential services;
3. There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travels until further notice;
4. There will be partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed to allow for the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers; and
5. We will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and personal hygiene. Furthermore, the restrictions of on social and religious gathers shall remain in place. State Governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for citizens.