Sanwo-Olu to inaugurate c’ttee on gradual easing of COVID-19 lockdown today

…Offices to open from 9am to 3pm

…Entertainment sector, schools, religious centres remain closed

Governor of Lagos state is to inaugurate an enlarged committee comprising government and private sector players to work out gradual easing of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Members of the committee to be inaugurated today, will be drawn from Nigeria Employers’ Consultation Association (NECA), Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), Road Transport Owners Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), state ministries of finance, budget and economic planning, commerce and industry among others.

Sanwo-Olu, who briefed the media Wednesday evening as a follow up to the earlier presidential address on Monday, said business premises and offices, including banks would,l from May 6, open from 9am to 3pm daily.

However, he disclosed that they must strictly observe and comply with the COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, wearing of face masks, provision for hand washing and sanitizer at entrances to their premises.

Also, eateries and restaurants would be allowed to open between the hours of 9am and 3pm, but must only serve take-away packs as people would not be allowed to sit in for their meals and must also fully comply with COVID-19 protocols.

Similarly, open markets and stores would open from 9am to 3pm on selected days to be jointly worked out with market associations.

Sanwo-Olu however, added that not all markets in the state will open same day, adding that details on this would be made available after consultation with the leadership of the various markets and the ministry of local government and community affairs.

On public transportation, the governor said all commercial vehicles would be expected to load up to 60 per cent of their capacities, warning that anything above this would amount to a violation of the gradual easing of the lockdown directives and would therefore, attract sanctions.

He said.tricycles and commercial motorcycles operators would not be allowed to operate even after the lockdown, as there is no form of social distancing in their operations.

“All commercial transportation operators must wear face masks and provide hand sanitizers in their vehicles for passengers and not expected to turn on their air conditioning system while on operations.

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“All schools in Lagos, from nursery to tertiary, both public and private would remain physically closed until further notice. They are however, expected to explore media channels of reaching their students,” the governor added.

The governor also said that all places of worship must remain closed until further notice.

He also noted that while inter-state movement remained banned, as earlier agreed to by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, vehicles conveying essential items including food and medicals would be allowed in and out of Lagos, but must not ferry more than seven passengers.

All activities within the entertainment industry including beer parlours, hotels casino and others would also remain closed until further notice.

He also disclosed that a total of 19 patients have died from the COVID-19 complications while active cases as at April 28 were 682.