ABUJA, July 2 (Reuters) - The Nigerian state of Kano ended
its novel coronavirus lockdown on Thursday, the local ministry
of health said, months after an outbreak of what was originally
called a "mysterious disease" killed hundreds of citizens.
The easing comes weeks after other parts of Nigeria relaxed
restrictions, and marks an effort to resume everyday life in
Kano, the commercial and cultural heart of predominantly Muslim
northern Nigerian.
In April and early May, roughly 500 people died in the
state, a government probe found, saying the deaths were likely
due to coronavirus. Local authorities did not acknowledge the
outbreak at the time. Kano's health ministry on its official Twitter account did
not provide details of the state lockdown ending except to say
civil servants would return to work from July 6.
The end of Kano's lockdown and other policies to relax
restrictions come as coronavirus cases mount in Africa's most
populous country.
Nigeria had confirmed more than 25,000 coronavirus cases and
almost 600 deaths as of Wednesday, with little sign of the
outbreak slowing. Officials have expressed their concern that
the outbreak in the West African country might become much
worse.
Nevertheless, Nigeria on Wednesday said it would restart
domestic flights from July 8.