LagosState Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has granted full resumption permission toChurches and Mosques in the state. Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure during hiseighteenth update on Covid-19 in Lagos State on Friday, September, 18,2020.CYRIACUS NNAJI reports.
‘As regards our places of worship, we are now alsopermitting the mosques to resume their five times a day prayers; and in thecase of churches, they are now also permitted to resume their mid-weekservices.’ He said.
While addressing Lagosians on progress made in the fightagainst Covid-19 pandemic Sanwo-Olu stated that as at 18th of September, 2020,Lagos State had conducted close to 100,000 tests; and recorded a total of18,854 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of the number,15,598 have recovered incommunity, 592 are currently active in community, and 207 deaths have sadlyoccurred.
He however disclosed that the state has also recorded adramatic decline in the number of Covid-19 related deaths at the facilities.
“Our management strategy in Lagos State continues to focuson a combination of admission to COVID-19 Care Centres for some cases, andHome-Based care and support for asymptomatic, mild or moderate cases. Patientson the Home-Based Care track have access to and receive special Care Packs andare also given access to psychosocial support via our Call Centre, 08000CORONA,and to telemedicine services through our Lagos owned EKOTELEMED” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said the state is also expanding its testingcapacity to cope with the impending increase in the number of tests, especiallyfollowing the re-opening of the International Airport “We are constantlyexpanding testing capacity to cope with the impending increase in the number oftests, especially following the re-opening of the International Airport. Ourstatus as home of the busiest International Airport in Nigeria comes with addedresponsibilities to ensure that the pandemic situation in Lagos State is notcomplicated by additional cases of imported infections.
“All incoming travelers to Lagos State must be certifiedby testing to be COVID-19-free before and after arrival in the State. Weencourage outbound travelers to also do a Covid-19 test 72 hours beforedeparture to avoid inconveniences at their respective destinations.
“Since the commencement of the flights coming into the countryon the 5th of September till date, we have recorded a total of 50 flights – adaily average of 6 flights – carrying a total of almost 8,000 passengers.Despite this inbound volume of passengers, our positivity rate still remains onthe downward trend at under 5%.”
He added that testing in Lagos remain free “Let me at thisjuncture make it clear that testing in Lagos State will continue to be free forall persons who fit the case definition of the disease, that is, people who areshowing symptoms or have had confirmed contact with positive cases. Thefee-paying testing is only for people who want testing to fulfill a requirementsuch as for travel or work purposes.
The governor made more clarifications on resumption datesfor schools in Lagos State, saying “It has become necessary to issueclarifications regarding the resumption of schools, to clear any confusion thatmay have arisen since the original announcement was made.
“Students in JS 3 and SS 2 in public schools in LagosState are to resume physical classes from Monday the 21st of September, 2020.This resumption will allow the JS 3 students to adequately revise and preparefor their forthcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) organizedby the Lagos State Examination Board, and scheduled for Tuesday, 6th Octoberuntil Monday, 12th of October, 2020.
“For all other public-school classes – All Primary SchoolClasses and JS 1, JS 2, and SS 1, announcements for resumption will be made assoon as the Lagos State Government is satisfied that all necessary resumptionprotocols have been put in place.
“In the meantime, these yet-to-resume classes in publicschools are expected to continue their lessons on our various distance learningplatforms (online, radio, television and WhatsApp) pending the announcement ofdates for physical resumption.
“For Private Schools in Lagos State, all Private Primaryand Secondary Schools are permitted to resume from Monday, 21st of September,2020. We have strongly advised school owners and managers to put safety firstand open in phases similar to the announced schedule for public schools.
He said henceforth, cinemas and gyms are permitted toreopen as soon as possible, with a maximum of thirty-three percent (33%)occupancy, which means that there must be a minimum of two empty seats betweenoccupied seats; and in the case of gyms, there must be constant disinfection ofmachines and equipment throughout the course of the day.
He said “Next month, October, we will announce thedecisions regarding the reopening of other sectors of the economy: night-clubs,bars, event centers, spas, public parks and so on. For now, these will continueto remain closed, until fixed plans for reopening are announced in October2020.”
