Nigeria's northern economic hub Kano imposes week-long lockdown over coronavirus

The northern Nigeria economic powerhouse state of Kano will impose a seven-day lockdown to contain an outbreak of the new coronavirus, a spokesman for the governor said on Tuesday.

Africa’s most populous country has recorded 373 cases of the virus, which as resulted in 11 deaths.

Lockdowns and curfews have been imposed in many African countries but the restrictions are putting pressure on most economies. The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday predicted Nigeria’s GDP would fall 3.4% this year after growing 2.2% in 2019.

Nigeria’s president imposed lockdowns in the southwestern economic hub Lagos state, neighbouring Ogun state and the capital, Abuja, on March 30. The lockdowns were initially intended to last 14 days but were extended by two weeks on Sunday.

Kano, whose state capital shares the same name and is the second-most populous city in the West African country, has recorded four cases.