In compliance with the ease of lockdown rules, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Muhammad Bello, has increased the market days from two to three days with effect from Monday.
The decision was a fallout of a joint meeting of the FCT COVID-19 Emergency Response Team and the FCT Security Committee, held on Thursday.
The Meeting deliberated on the second phase of the ease of lockdown guidelines issued by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 generally and as they affected the operations of markets in particular
According to a statement by the minister’s Chief Press Secretary, all markets will now open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 8.00am to 3.00pm.
“In addition to the sale of foodstuff, the following additional sections of the market will now open; Agricultural inputs for farm activities such as the sale of fertilizer, herbicides, seeds and agricultural implements.
“Building and construction materials, electrical items specifically for construction; neighborhood selling points managed by the Abuja Markets Management Ltd which are restricted to selling foodstuff only are to operate daily.
“All new sections of the market to be re-opened as indicated above must ensure decontamination of their premises prior to commencement of business.”
The FCTA said market operators and customers must also observe all already established protocols of handwashing, facial coverings, and social distancing.
“All other measures at curtailing COVID-19 in the FCT as contained in the guidelines issued by the FCTA on the May 2 still subsist,” the statement added.