The governments in Lagos and Ogun states have announced a ban on all forms of gatherings involving more than 50 persons as they intensify their respective fights against the spread of coronavirus in their domains.
On a day that another state in southwest Nigeria, Ekiti, confirmed that the dreaded virus had infected an indigene of the state, Lagos and Ogun States announced the ban on Wednesday and will be in place for four weeks in the first instance.
The announcement from Ogun State was made through a statement issued in Abeokuta by Mr Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dapo Abiodun.
According to Somorin, the ban takes immediate effect for the next 30 days in the first instance and covers gatherings in places like cinemas, night clubs, restaurants, cafes and sport arenas.
Somorin said the ban was meant to compliment measures so far taken by the government to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the state.
“The restriction has to be enforced without prejudice to people’s fundamental rights to association and movement, because safety of our people and their welfare are priorities that cannot be toyed with.
“The government will continue to engage all the stakeholders including religious leaders to sensitise the populace on the need to maintain social distance and collective effort to combat the pandemic.
“The Ogun government will continue the surveillance initiatives and intensify sensitisation on COVID-19.
“This is more so given the peculiarity of its location as the nation’s gateway state and industrial capital.
” Our epidemiologists and other health workers are working round the clock with federal agencies and international development agencies to stop the spread of corona virus.
“In view of the recent confirmed cases in the country, Gov. Abiodun reassures the populace that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that the state is prepared at all times to respond appropriately,” he said.
Somorin further encouraged people to maintain a high level of suspicion and report any suspected case to the appropriate authorities.
In Lagos, the State government suspended all religious gatherings above 50 persons in the state for the next four weeks with immediate effect.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, announced this to newsmen in Ikeja after a closed door meeting with religious leaders in the state on the issue of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
Elegushi said that the decision was taken in the interest of Lagosians and necessary toward curbing the spread of the ravaging coronavirus.
”We met with religious leaders both Christians and Muslims. We discussed, argued and realised that the lives of Lagosians is important to us. We prefer to offend people than to kill our people.
”Let me assure you that the state government is not insensitive to the Lenten period and various religious activities going on. We are concerned because it is only the living that can worship God.
”Having discussed extensively, the heads of religious bodies agreed government should embark on massive education of the virus at the grassroots level.
”Health workers should up their games, while more should be recruited and hospitals should be compelled to attend to people without prejudice.
”In view of this, we have decided to suspend all religious activities above 50 people and the enforcement starts with immediate effect,” the commissioner said.
He said that a committee had been set up involving top religious leaders to ensure compliance with the directive.
Speaking after the announcement, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State, Apostle Alexander Bamgbala, said the association was glad with the development.
”We are going to follow the directive of the government. We are at a critical moment in our nation and God has been hearing our prayers concerning Coronavirus.
”In view of the increased in number of infected cases, we must be proactive. It is not about religion but survival. We need to listen to government and be proactive so that God will continue to answer us,” Bamgbala said.
