Sanwoolu bans all Christmas parties and carnivals across Lagos State as Covid-19 second wave looms

GOVERNOR Babajide Sanwoolu has banned all forms of parties and carnivals across Lagos State over the Christmas festive period as part of a major preventative measure to combat the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic.

Accounting for about a third of all cases in Nigeria, Lagos State has been the epicentre of the virus in the country, responsible for 220 of the 1,163 deaths in the country. With a second wave of the pandemic now on the horizon, Governor Sanwoolu has taken drastic action, involving the imposition of a curfew from midnight to 4am daily.

He has also ordered night clubs to remain closed till further notice and emphasised the need for residents of the state to wear their facemask. With the risk of infections rising over the festive period, all traditional Christmas parties and carnivals have been banned, while all private schools and government institutions across the state have been shut down indefinitely.

Governor Sanwoolu said: “Concerts, carnivals and street parties are banned in Lagos State until further notice. Night clubs have not been allowed to open yet, so all night clubs in Lagos must immediately shut down, until further notice.

“Also, the midnight to 4am curfew imposed by the federal government remains in place. In addition, the protocol of no mask no entry must be enforced by all public places, offices, businesses, markets, shops and so on.”

Furthermore, the governor also directed all public servants from Grade Level 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders, work from home for the next two weeks, with effect from Monday. These measures are all part of new public health directives issued as the state government prepares for a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Governor Sanwoolu added: “All places of worship including churches and mosques must ensure that no gathering exceeds two hours and also that no gathering exceeds 50% of the maximum capacity of the venue. All public servants from Grade Level 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders, are to work from home as from Monday, December 21for the next 14 days in the first instance, while all schools must shut down with immediate effect until further notice.”