COVID-19: FG Shuts Land Borders, Suspends FEC …CJN Orders Courts To Close From Today

As the battle to contain the deadly Coronavirus rages, the Federal Government has suspended its weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings as well as the proposed Council of State meeting earlier slated for March 26, 2020.
This was as the government announced the total closure of all land borders that were hitherto partially closed.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Pandemic, Mr Boss Mustapha, who announced these, yesterday, at a press briefing in Abuja, added that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has been mandated to announce measures approved by the Federal Government to protect the civil servants.
According to him, the Presidential Task Force continues to monitor global and domestic developments and has isolated Lagos and Abuja for particular attention in view of their population, mobility and number of cases already reported.
Speaking on the measures taken by the Federal Government, the SGF said; “As you are all aware, a number of advisories have been issued and measures taken.
“Part of the measures being taken presently include the following: escalating the nation’s capacity for testing and detection through the acquisition of more testing kits and establishment of additional test centres; acquisition of personnel protection equipment (PPE) for different categories of frontline personnel; enhancing contact tracking; deepening awareness creation.
“Mobilization of experts and trained personnel whether in service or retired; introduction of social distancing policies and banning mass gathering of over 50 persons
“Closure of schools and tertiary institutions; the total ban on international travels shall commence at 12.00 midnight tonight at all our airports; and leaders of different faiths have been encouraged to restrict services and activities that involve mass gathering of more than fifty of their adherents. State governments are also enforcing this policy at different levels.
“After a further review, Mr. President on the recommendation of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) has approved the following additional measures: Suspension of the weekly FEC meetings until further notice; Postponement of the meeting of the Council of State scheduled for Thursday, 26th March, 2020; All land borders that have been hitherto under partial closure shall now be closed for human traffic for four weeks effective, 23rd March, 2020.
Similarly, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, has ordered all courts in the country to shut down from today.
The CJN, in a statement he issued on the official website of the National Judicial Council (NJC), said the measure became necessary, in view of the reality of the COVID-19 in the country.
He said as preventive steps, all Heads of Courts, should suspend court sittings for an initial period of two weeks at the first instance, except in matters that are urgent, essential or time bound according to the extant laws.