Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Covid-19 second wave

  • COVID-19 Scare Triggers Suspension of Carnivals, Cross-over Gatherings in Ogun State

    COVID-19 Scare Triggers Suspension of Carnivals, Cross-over Gatherings in Ogun State

    …orders workers to stay at home till January 4

    Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called for restraint in celebrations during the Christmas and New Year festivities as he announced the suspension of street carnivals, crowded cross-over night service, parties and similar gatherings in the State, amidst an increase in COVID-19 infections across the nation.

    The governor on Wednesday also directed all civil servants and other government workers in the State to proceed on Christmas and New Year holiday from Thursday, December 24.

    According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Kunle Somorin, the directives were issued on Wednesday after a meeting between the state government and religious leaders from the League of Imams and the Christian Association of Nigeria as well as community leaders as part of the measures and guidelines for public health as the state prepares for a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The Governor directed that all Schools in the State are to remain closed until January 18, 2021, while all bars, nightclubs, pubs and event centres, recreational centres in the state have also been closed down indefinitely.

    The Governor further directed that markets are to open strictly between 8am and 4pm while maintaining social distancing and observing all COVID-19 protocols, including the use of face mask, provision of hand sanitizer and/or hand-washing equipment at every strategic point within their malls, shops and business premises.

    Gov Abiodun further directed that religious and worship centres should not exceed 50 per cent of their capacity. All services must also be in compliance with all COVID-19 protocols.

    In order to stem the spread of the second wave of the disease, Gov. Abiodun advised that “there should be no gatherings of more than 50 people at any event or ceremonies, such as conferences, congresses, office events, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, cross-over nights, end of year parties, weddings, naming, birthdays, anniversaries, street carnivals, etc until further notice”.

    He also called on motorcycle (okada), tricycle, bus, car, taxi and other transport operators to not to carry passengers above 50 percent of their capacity, in compliance with social distancing rules.

    While urging citizens to celebrate in moderation, Gov. Abiodun wished the people a Merry Christmas and prosperous 2021, saying they should take personal responsibilities and stay within their residences and not embark on travels within and outside the State to ensure they neither transmit nor contract the virus.

    For religious centres, the League of Imams and the Christian leaders adopted the earlier positions taken in the wake of COVID-19 earlier in the year such as:

    1. All worship activities must be observed by not more than 50percent of capacity

    2. All congregants must wear their face masks appropriately (that is, No facemask, No entry)

    3. There should be reliable sources of running water

    4. Worship centres should be adequately cleaned and disinfected before and after services

    5. Household bleach solution should be adequately prepared for disinfections

    6. There should be adequate provision and supervision of multiple Veronica Buckets for handwashing (fully automated handwashing machines are preferable)

    7. There should be provision of alcohol-based sanitiser which must be used before and at intervals of every 20 minutes as well as after service

    8. Worship centres should provide adequate toilet facilities with water

    9. It is paramount for Muslims to perform ablution at home and go to Mosque with their personal praying mats

    10. Qualified Medical Practitioners or trained personnels should check the temperature of worshippers with infrared thermometer before allowing them to enter worship centres

    11..There should be adequate medical support for sick persons

    12. All services on Friday/Sunday and other week days must adhere strictly to COVID-19 Guidelines

    13. There should be pre-designated standing position/sitting points to ensure not less than 2 meter distancing

    14. The duration of religious services should not be more than one hour. In addition, same duration must be observed at intervals, where there are multiple services

    15. The use of Air-conditioners should be discouraged while worship centres should be well ventilated with the use of fans

    16. There should not be any handshake/hugs by worshippers

    17. Proper awareness of the susceptibility of the aged and people with signs of ill-health should be adequately created among worshippers at all times

    18. Constant sensitisation of COVID-19 and its dangers should be included in sermon and goodwill messages

    19. Provision of isolation rooms is mandatory in all worship centres or facilities

    20. Religious services and events should be recorded with digital camera for record purposes

    21. Government will not hesitate to impose severe sanctions (including, but not limited to lockdown) on any Worship Centre that fails to comply with the laid down guidelines

    22. No social gathering should exceed 50 people while 2 meters social distancing must be observed in such gatherings

    23. Disposable elements should be used during Holy Communion instead of sharing cups

  • COVID-19 Second Wave: Lagos Restricts Church Gathering Again, Bans Concerts, Others

    COVID-19 Second Wave: Lagos Restricts Church Gathering Again, Bans Concerts, Others

    • Says Lagos Cannot Afford To Relax Battle Against Coronavirus
    • Governor Directs Civil Servants From Grade Level 14 Below To Work From Home

    Following the second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria and increase in number of coronavirus cases in Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has banned carnivals, concerts and street parties in the State until further notice.

    The Governor also returned the order restricting the operations of churches and mosques in the State, adding that no gathering must exceed 50 per cent of the maximum capacity of the venue.

    He also directed all public servants from Grade Level 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders, to work from home for the next 14 days starting from next week Monday in the first instance.

    READ ALSO:

    SIM registration: FG Backtracks on NIN Retrieval Fee

    Governor Sanwo-Olu in a personal letter to Lagosians issued on Friday after a virtual Executive Council meeting on issues around the resurgence of COVID-19 and how to tackle it said Lagos State cannot afford to relax the battle against COVID-19 and therefore appealed that it should be tackled as serious matter.

    Speaking about the present state of his health, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who tested positive to COVID-19 last week, said “Regarding my health, I am glad to inform you that I am getting better by the day, and all will surely be well. I thank Lagosians for their prayers and overwhelming kind thoughts. I am, indeed, very grateful.”

    Governor Sanwo-Olu, who advised Lagosians to use the festive season to spend quality time in small but controlled gatherings with family and friends in the spirit of the season, warned that the State Government will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law to bear on any person or organisation caught breaching public health regulations and protocols with regards to the Coronavirus disease.

    He said: “The Lagos State Government is now sounding a clear note of caution to all residents on the importance of maintaining the guidelines that we have put in place to protect us from the ravages of COVID-19. We cannot afford a reversal of the gains we have made against this pandemic.

    “The following measures must be noted and complied with: All public servants from GL 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders, are to work from home as from Monday, December 21st for the next 14 days – in the first instance. All schools must shut down with immediate effect, and until further notice.

    “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. Hand sanitizers or hand washing units are to be positioned at the entry point and various spots.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed further that: “All places of worship (Churches, Mosques, etc.) must ensure that no gathering exceeds two hours and also that no gathering exceeds 50 per cent of the maximum capacity of the venue.

    “Health, Safety and Environment Officers must be present at all public gatherings (religious or social) and must be trained in basic first aid procedures.

    “The Safety Commission has been directed to visit event centres and gauge compliance with the established guidelines, to stop the virus from spreading. If there is evidence of lack of compliance at any Event Centre, it will be shut down immediately.

    “Security agents have been mandated to ensure full enforcement, without exception. No one will be deemed to be above the law. 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.”

    READ ALSO:

    Rising Insecurity, COVID-19 in Nigeria: Benue Govt. Bans Christmas, New Year Activities

    Governor Sanwo-Olu while advising Lagosians to step up the battle against COVID-19, especially during the festival seasons, said: “Christmas is a commemoration of this supreme act of sacrifice by God. The least we can do in this Season is to emulate that spirit of sacrifice, by abiding with difficult but necessary protective guidelines, for the greater good of all of us.

    “This is certainly not the time to lower our guard against the Coronavirus; it is instead time to step up our battle against this stubborn virus that has gripped the world for several months now.”

    “Dear Lagosians, you will all agree with me that we cannot afford another lockdown of the economy. Amidst an economic recession we must find a way to delicately balance the imperatives of life and livelihood. With this in mind, the only solution available to us is to take responsibility for all our actions, and to understand that we must stay safe not only for ourselves but for the sake of the entire society.

    “The Lagos State Government is now sounding a clear note of caution to all residents on the importance of maintaining the guidelines that we have put in place to protect us from the ravages of COVID-19. We cannot afford a reversal of the gains we have made against this pandemic.

    “Fellow Lagosians, Let us take responsibility for the welfare and safety of all while we enjoy the festive season with friends and families. It is important that as a community we strictly abide by the regulations in the context of a global pandemic, without prejudicing our efforts to keep the economy running and maintain our means of livelihood to a sufficient extent.