The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday, says non-essential inter-state travels within the country are banned till further notice as part of measures to curb the spread of the pandemic.

The PUNCH had reported that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum appealed to the President to include its resolution on the restriction of interstate movement in his next address to the nation.

Buhari made the announcement during an address to the nation, ordering “a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travel until further notice”.

He added that partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services would be allowed.

He also ordered “a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020”.

He, however, stated that there would be an overnight curfew from 8 pm to 6 am in the three cities.

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

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, over 1000 cases of coronavirus and 40 deaths have been reported in the country.