As the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the world, the Lagos Chapter of the Market Leaders and Traders’ Association of Nigeria has ordered its members to temporarily shut down markets in Lagos.
Announcing this in a press release signed by her President, Christopher Okpala and Secretary, Okey Enwuru yesterday, the association said “they are pained by the ravaging effects of the deadly Corona Virus COVID-19, since it was first reported in Wuhan, China in 2019.
It said that the decision to shut down markets across the state was arrived at after consultations with market leaders and stakeholders in the state stressing that in this critical times, life should come first.
“Our hearts go out to the families and countries that have lost tens, hundreds or thousands of their citizens especially health workers and care givers to the virus as we pray for the peaceful repose of their souls.
We also thank God for the recovery of other thousands of individuals, who were infected by the virus, praying that those still undergoing treatment will recover their sound health soon”.
It noted that their “association is concerned about the dire economic crisis the pandemic have thrown the world into, hoping that things will normalize soon as the search for a permanent cure and eradication of the COVID-19 intensifies across the globe”.
The association further advised all markets affiliates of the association and other markets in Lagos State to direct their members to buy and stock foodstuff that will sustain their families in the next couple of weeks between Tuesday March 24th to Thursday March 26th, and close their shops, offices, showrooms, warehouses and markets temporarily from, Friday March 27th to Friday April 4th, 2020, “as we study events as they unfold”.
Amongst other safety measures, the association directed its members to ensure that temperature testing kits are provided to screen both members and customers in their markets, as well as provide hand washing spots and hand sanitizers when their markets reopen.
It also advised her members to stay at home during this temporal market shutdown, and maintain social distancing of at least 6feet spacing in any public facilities; and observe other measures as directed or may be directed by relevant health agencies.
