The governor of Lagos state, the economic hub of Nigeria, has announced that all open markets and shops, except for sellers of food, medicines and life-saving equipment, must close for seven days from Thursday.

This is part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Africa’s most-populous nation, which has 44 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also called for magistrate and high courts to close immediately.

Travel to and from Lagos by air and by road should also be avoided and gatherings should not exceed 25 people, he advised.