Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has banned Christmas concerts, carnivals and street parties in a bid to stem the rising cases of COVID-19 in the state.
Mr Sanwo-Olu stated this on Friday in a release following a virtual executive council meeting on issues around the resurgence of COVID-19.
The governor said he was recovering after testing positive for the disease.
He said: “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.
“Dear Lagosians, this overwhelming non-compliance with guidelines meant to keep us all safe is very disheartening, especially when we consider that the message at the heart of Christmas is one of sacrifice and sacrificial conduct; embodied by the Holy Bible in John 3:16: ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’”
He directed all public servants from Grade level 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders, to work from home as from Monday, December 21st for the next 14 days – in the first instance.
In addition to closing schools, he said: “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 4am 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 (www.lasgsafetyreg.com) for all events, and ensure that any planned gatherings do not exceed 300 people.
“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.”
Sanwo-Olu urged Lagosians to keep maintaining all the basic COVID-19 protocols such as social distancing, washing hands regularly and using sanitisers among others.
