The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration is further relaxing COVID-19 era restrictions by opening markets for all seven days of the week.

The markets have been open for three days in a week since Nigeria began imposing lock-downs and curfews in March.

Minister of the FCT Muhammad Bello chaired a virtual meeting between members of the FCT COVID-19 response team, senior members of the administration and members of the coalition of FCT market chairmen and secretaries led by its chairman Raphael Okorie, this week.

The meeting deliberated extensively on the request by the coalition of FCT Market chairmen and secretaries that the operational days of FCT markets be extended to all seven days of the week.

That request has now been granted, with some conditions as well.

1..Market operations in Nigeria's capital city have been extended from three days a week to all 7 days in the week from 7:00am to 6:00pm effective from Thursday, 30th July 2020.

2..The Abuja Market Management Limited and various market associations will continue to carry out sensitization activities to enlighten market users on COVID-19 and the necessity of obeying all extant health and safety protocols.

3..Access to the markets and operations within the markets will only be permitted with the wearing of facial coverings and adherence to all extant health and safety guidelines inclusive of hand washing and maintenance of physical distancing.

4..If and when it is discovered that the coalition of FCT market chairmen and secretaries are not fully implementing these guidelines, the FCTA will be compelled to withdraw the extension.

The FCT has recorded 3,710 COVID-19 cases as of July 30, 2020.

Nigeria has reported 42, 689 COVID-19 cases, 19, 270 recoveries and 878 deaths at the time of filing this report.