Easing COVID-19 Lockdown: FCTA Extends Market Operational Days From Three To Seven Days

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja has extended market operational days from three to seven days between 7 am to 6 pm as further steps towards easing COVID-19 Lockdown.

This formed the outcome of a virtual meeting between members of the FCT COVID-19 Response Team, senior members of the Administration and members of the Coalition of FCT Market Chairmen and Secretaries led by its Chairman Mr Raphael Okorie. The meeting was chaired by the FCT Minister,  Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.

The market leaders were however warned that should the markets fail to observe and keep COVID-19 guidelines, the FCT administration will not hesitate to withdraw the extension.

The meeting deliberated on the request by the Coalition of FCT Market Chairmen and Secretaries for the operational days of FCT markets to be extended to all 7 days of the week as against the 3 days weekly that is currently in effect.

 According to a statement by the FCTA Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, the meeting resolved  as part of measures to decongest the markets in the FCT and further check the spread of COVID-19, to extended market operations from three days a week to all 7 days in the week from 7:00am to 6:00pm effective  from Thursday, 30^th July 2020.

Further, the Abuja Market Management Limited and various market associations will continue to carry out sensitization activities to enlighten market users on COVID-19 and the necessity of obeying all extant health and safety protocols.

It also resolved that access to the markets and operations within the markets will only be permitted with the wearing of facial coverings and adherence to all extant health and safety guidelines inclusive of hand washing and maintenance of physical distancing.

 However, failure by the Coalition of FCT Market Chairmen and Secretaries to fully implement these guidelines, the FCTA will be compelled to withdraw this extension.