COVID-19: Lagos VIS to begin enforcement of facemasks

Etim Effiong

Officials of the Lagos State Vehicle Inspectorate Services, VIS, are to begin enforcement of face masks and social distancing as part of efforts to reduce the spread of Coronavirus.

Speaking during a chat with journalists, Director, VIS, Lagos State, Mr Akin George Fashola, said the measure is taken to avoid another lockdown.

Fashola said the exercise suffered a setback in the aftermath of #EndSARS protest in the state. He added that for the country and Lagos State to tackle the deadly Covid-19 virus to a halt, drivers and commuters must abide by all safety measures.

“Covid-19 is real, and it is deadly. Nobody should joke with it or say it is not real. The disease does not maim but kills so fast. That is the reason our people must use facemasks and obey all the safety guidelines, like maintaining social distance, engage in regular handwashing, and going to hospitals when ill.

“To defeat this virus, it is better and less costly to obey all the safety guidelines than to lockdown the country. We do not want Lagos State to be lockdown for a second time.

“Therefore, we will begin our second phase of mass enforcement and sensitisation of drivers, especially commercial drivers and commuters to ensure the use of facemasks, observe social distancing in their vehicles and other safety rules,” Fashola said.

While addressing the misconception and promotion of non-adherence to safety measures, Fashola noted that some people feel government is punishing them when they are told to wear facemasks and observe social distancing. He asked, “What will government gain from that?”

According to Fashola many maintained that Covid-19 is not an African disease, adding that the second wave of the virus is even deadlier as it kills faster.

He asked, “When others say that Covid-19 is not their portion, then whose portion is it?” He stated that it is wise to abide by all the safety rules to avoid the disease being their portion.

He said: “They should take it seriously by observing all the safety rules which should be a personal responsibility to stay alive.

“Commercial drivers should not put gain or profit above health safety by conveying people in overcrowded vehicles. It is only those alive that can eat. So, it is wise to adjust and comply with the safety measures and live long.

“Wear your face masks and observe all the safety rules; government will not be forced to lock down the state a second time.

“As an agency, we do not want the state to be on lock down; therefore, we will continue to work with other stakeholders to enforce government directives aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19.”