Wale Jagun
After weeks of reopening of schools in Lagos State, the government has again shut them down until further notice as part of the measures to curtail the spread of the deadly Coronavirus disease which its second wave has hit the country with Lagos as most affected.
According to the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on his Twitter handle on Saturday, December 19, 2020, 459 new #COVID19 infections were confirmed in Lagos on December 16th, 2020, out of a total 2,799 #COVID19 tests conducted.
Thus, the new cases brings the total number of confirmed #COVID19 infections in Lagos to 25,928.
In a statement released on Friday (yesterday), Gov. Sanwo – Olu said:
“All schools must shut down with immediate effect, and until further notice”.
The governor also announced restriction on religious centres and reiterated that night clubs have not been allowed to open yet.
He also stated that carnivals and street parties that are usually prevalent during the yuletide period are banned.
“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”.
Sanwo – Olu also stated that the midnight to 4a.m curfew imposed by the Federal Government remains in place and the protocol of ‘No Mask No Entry’ must be enforced by all public places: Offices, Businesses, Markets, Shops, and so on.
On directive for restriction on religious centres, Sanwo – Olu stated:
“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”.
In the case of those engaging in event planning, the Governor said:
“All event planners must obtain prior clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission (www.lasgsafetyreg.com) for all events, and ensure that any planned gatherings do not exceed 300 people.
“Where the capacity of a venue exceeds 300 and permission has been granted, the occupancy shall not be more than 50% of such a venue.
“Ample ventilation must also be maintained at all times in all venues, and deep cleaning of the premises must be carried out BEFORE and AFTER every event.
“A minimum of 2 meters’ distance should be maintained between seated or standing guests.
“All guests and service providers at events MUST wear nose masks/coverings before entry.
“Hand sanitizers or hand washing units are to be positioned at the entry point and various spots 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, which is mandatory.
“Guests and service providers with high temperature (above 37.5) are to be politely turned back and referred to paramedics or the emergency response team that must be present.
“Health, Safety and Environment Officers must be present at all public gatherings (Religious or Social) and must be trained in basic first aid procedures.
“All events’ staff must also be educated on recognising COVID-19 symptoms”.
He added that 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.
“Security agents have been mandated to ensure full enforcement, without exception. No one will be deemed to be above the law”, Sanwo – Olu added.
“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 sanction and penalty deemed fit, in line with the Lagos State Infectious Diseases Control Regulation 2020.
“Event Centre Owners/Planners/Vendors will be responsible for any breach of protocols by their Staff.
The governor said that the state will keep working with the Presidential Task Force to ensure that achievements by the state in tackling the pandemic are not frittered away.
“We will continue to closely watch the profile of the unfolding situation, while also awaiting updates and pronouncements from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. We will also keep working with the Presidential Task Force to ensure that the gains of the recent past are not frittered away on the altar of festivities and sheer carelessness. The lives of ALL Lagosians, including our elders and other vulnerable citizens, matter.
He also reminded Lagosians that they should keep adhering to COVID 19 protocols that have been in place before now.
“May I remind you of the importance of maintaining the principles of non-pharmaceutical interventions and measures that are well-documented strategies for interrupting the spread of the disease in our society. These measures are:
“Social distancing, a minimum of 2 meters apart; the wearing of face masks at all times in public places”.
“Also, he maintenance of personal and respiratory hygiene – regular hand washing/sanitizing, coughing or sneezing into a tissue and properly disposing it.
“Presentation for testing at our numerous public and private testing facilities if you experience any of the COVID-19 symptoms.
“Isolation either at home or in any of our Treatment Centres if diagnosed positive for COVID-19.
“These measures represent the only way to keep the curve flattened and prevent a full-blown second wave from developing in Lagos”, Lagos Governor emphasized.
