Increase in COVID-19 cases: Lagos reimposes restrictions on religious, social gatherings

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that COVID-19 third wave has hit the state.

The Governor disclosed this in an address on Sunday.

Governor Sanwo-Olu directed all religious, event centres and other enclosed places to henceforth operate at 50 per cent capacity.

Sanwo-Olu said between 8th May 2021 and 7th July 2021, a total of 50,322 passengers of interest arrived in Lagos via the Murtala Mohammed Airport.

Unfortunately, most passengers couldn’t be monitored for contact tracing because most of them provided incomplete/false contact information.

“It is the responsibility of passengers to ensure they provide the right details for us to reach them for proper monitoring”, he said.

The Governor announced that henceforth, passengers that do not provide their correct contact details would be penalized.

Sanctions are being recommended and have already been meted out to defaulters: For foreigners: revocation of their permanent residency, and deportation; For Nigerians: prosecution with the Lagos COVID-19 Law.

Sanwo-Olu also called on places of worship to remain vigilant.

According to the Governor, all guidelines and protocols would be enforced with immediate effect. He mentioned compulsory use of masks in all public places, social distancing, temperature checks, provisions for hand-washing and sanitisers, and a maximum of 50 per cent occupancy in enclosed spaces.

“We must not allow ourselves to be carried away by the illusion that all is now back to normal. This is especially critical, as Sallah approaches, in a little over a week from now,” Sanwo-Olu said.