Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the closure of all banks, offices, markets and courts in the state effective from Thursday.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stated this after a meeting of the state security council at the State House, Marina Tuesday.

The Governor who insisted that the order was not a lockdown however said that this new directive will be for seven days in the first instance, even as he reduced the number of people who can be in a gathering from 50 to 25 persons.

In a live press conference on Tuesday, Sanwo-Olu said, “All open markets and stores except for sellers of food and medicines, medical equipment and other essential life-saving products are directed to close from Thursday 26th, 2020 for the next seven days.

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“It is not a total lockdown, we still want people on essential services to go about their normal activities.

“We are trying to de-centralise markets in Lagos. This is why we want to use some of our closed schools as markets, so people can buy food and medicine without going a long distance.

He also said that all travels to Lagos by Air or by road will no longer be encouraged.

Sanwo-Olu who said that the health situation was terrible said all public parks, gym, swimming pools etc are also to close with immediate effect.

He said that the security agents had been ordered to strictly enforce the directive as anyone who contravenes it will be dealt with.