Following an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Lagos, the state government has announced measures to curb the spread and forestall a second wave of the virus.
The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwoolu who has tested positive for the virus made this announcement in a statement after a virtual Executive Council meeting on issues around the resurgence of COVID-19.
Sanwoolu said that the perception among many Lagosians that coronavirus is over is wrong and dangerous.
He added that due to the yuletide, Lagosians are planning large gathers.
“We are getting credible reports that the entertainment industry is planning large gatherings, concerts, street parties and carnivals, in the spirit of the Yuletide.
“Night Clubs have also re-opened in reckless disregard of the existing guidelines, and Events Centers are operating with huge gatherings without any regard for public health and safety guidelines.
“This same disregard for Coronavirus guidelines is also being observed with Places of Worship across the State, in both their regular gatherings and the special gatherings organized to commemorate this Season.”
Some reinstated measures
There is no doubt that Lagosians have jettisoned all measures introduced to curb COVID-19. Even the government relaxed its aggressive implementation of these measures.
Describing the lack of compliance as disheartening, Sanwoolu said: “Of every 100 tests that we now perform, an average of 10 turn out to be positive.
“This is an increase from the 5 per hundred recorded in September, but lower than our peak in August which was between 20 and 30 per hundred. “
The measures:
- All public servants from GL 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders, are to work from home from Monday, December 21st for the next 14 days – in the first instance.
- All schools must shut down with immediate effect, and until further notice.
- Concerts, carnivals, and street parties are banned in Lagos State until further notice.
- Night Clubs have not been allowed to open yet. All Night Clubs in Lagos must immediately shut down, until further notice.
- The midnight to 4 am curfew imposed by the Federal Government remains in place. •The protocol of ‘No Mask No Entry’ must be enforced by all public places: Offices, Businesses, Markets, Shops, and so on.
- All Places of Worship (Churches, Mosques, etc.) must ensure that no gathering exceeds two hours, and also that no gathering exceeds 50% of the maximum capacity of the Venue.
- All Event Planners must obtain prior clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission (http://lasgsafetyreg.com) for all events, and ensure that any planned gatherings do not exceed 300 people.
- Hand sanitizers or handwashing units are to be positioned at the entry point and within the hall. Provision must be made for all guests and service providers to wash their hands before entering the venue or use hand sanitizers, as well as undergo a temperature check.
- The Safety Commission has been directed to visit Event Centres and gauge compliance with the established guidelines, to stop the virus from spreading. If there is evidence of lack of compliance at any Event Centre, it will be shut down immediately.
The governor emphasised that “Any and all breaches of these regulations and public health protocols will lead to immediate closure as well as attract heavy fines, and any other sanctions and penalties deemed fit, in line with the Lagos State Infectious Diseases Control Regulation 2020. “
Lagos remains the epicenter of the virus with 25,895 cases. In total, there has been 76,207 confirmed cases, 67110 patients have been discharged whiled there have been 1201 deaths nationwide as at 17th December, 2020.
