COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu bans carnivals, shuts night clubs, schools

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Ou, has banned large gatherings, including concerts, carnivals and street parties, following the increasing cases of COVID-19 infections in all local government areas of the state.

The governor, who said that the second wave of the infection calls for a full re-awakening of caution and precaution, announced that all night clubs in the state must immediately shut down until further notice while all schools must also shut down with immediate effect, and until further notice.

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All public servants from Grade Level 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders have been directed by the governor to work from home as from Monday, December 21, 2020 for the next 14 days in the first instance.

He mentioned that the midnight to 4am curfew imposed by the federal government remains in place while the protocol of ‘No Mask No Entry’ must be enforced by all public places including offices, businesses, markets and shops among others.

As part of measures to prevent further spread of the infection, places of worship have been directed to ensure that no gathering exceeds two hours, and that no gathering exceeds 50 percent of the maximum capacity of the venue.

“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 percent 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 while a minimum of two 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,”

“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,” the governor stressed.

Sanwo-Olu confirmed that Lagos State is recording an increase in COVID-19 cases in all local governments, saying, of every 100 tests conducted, an average of 10 turn out to be positive.

This, he said, is an increase from the five per hundred recorded in September, but lower than the peak in August which was between 20 and 30 per hundred.