Churches and mosques were advised to lockdown as schools are shut in Lagos and the nine states in the Northwest.
Ogun and Kwara states also announced measures to curtail gathering of a large number of people and to close schools.
Nigeria’s list of infected persons rose to eight from the three announced on Monday.
Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs Olanrewaju Elegushi told reporters after a meeting with religious leaders that the suspension of large gatherings had taken effect.
He added that a committee comprising top religious leaders had been set up to ensure compliance with the directive.
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Ogun State Government banned high density gatherings in places like cinemas, sports arena, restaurants, night clubs for 30 days .
The statement said: “The government will continue to engage all the stakeholders, including our religious leaders to sensitise the populace on the need to maintain social distancing and collective effort to combat this pandemic.”
Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State, Apostle Alexander Bamgbala, said the association was okay with the development.
“We are going to follow the directive of the government. We are at a critical moment in our nation and God has been hearing our prayers concerning Coronavirus.
Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Suleiman Abou Nolla and some regional religious leaders from the state attended the meeting.
A 15-member committee was also set up to monitor and review the situation and report appropriately during the period of the suspension for possible updates.
Elegushi and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs Adebunmi Adekanye, are co-chair of the committee. Other members include the Grand Chief Imam and the CAN chairman.
Some private schools that have announced closure include Greensprings School and Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School, Ikoyi. While Greensprings is closing on March 23, LPSS shut down on yesterday. Both schools have opted for e-learning for pupils at home.
Greensprings School’s Head of Admissions Mrs. Oluranti Bankole said: “Learning will now be done online using the virtual learning platform and video conferencing. She added that the school had adopted the WHO crisis management grid for COVID-19.
Other schools like Berkely and Juilliard Schools and Chessington Montessori School, Agege,also announced closure beginning from yesterday.
Chessington informed parents that bills and report cards “will be sent electronically”, while Berkley and Juilliard Schools promsed to offer “skeletal services” to stranded parents.
The Nation gathered that the government might shut public schools on Friday.
Kwara state government also announced its decision to shut down all schools in the state from Monday because of COVID-19.
“It is part of the efforts to contain the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We urge our people to maintain the highest level of hygiene and to remain calm and adhere to all safety measures earlier announced by the Kwara State Ministry of Health and other national bodies.
Governors of Northwest states rose from their security meeting in Kaduna yesterday with an announcement to close down all schools in their states for the next 30 days.
Masari, who said the closure will take effect from March 22, added that they forum would meet with examination boards to discuss the decision.
Present at meeting were the governors of Zamfara, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kaduna and Niger states. Kano State Deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna represented Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The Special Adviser to governor Oyetola on Public health, Dr. Siji Olamiju, stated this in a telephone interview with The Nation.
He said: “If there is need to lockdown the churches, mosques and religious centers where people gather more than 50 in Osun State, Governor Oyetola will do it to ensure that nobody contracts any deadly disease. “ Thenationonlineng
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