DESPITE RELAXATION OF CURFEW: Lagos Insists Hotels, Nightclubs, Others To Remain Closed

Despite relaxation of the curfew to four hours (12.00a.m to 4.00a.m) by the Presidential Task Force, the Lagos State Government it has not lifted the restrictions on opening of bars, restaurants, night clubs, lounges and cinemas.

Gbenga Omotoso, Honourable Commissioner for Information & Strategy ,Lagos State disclosed this on Thursday in a statement.

He said : “All owners of hospitality establishments are warned to restrict their operations to 50% of their occupancy rate as directed by Mr. Governor, in addition to observing the guidelines on physical distancing, use of face masks, temperature checks and washing of hands with soap and running water or using of hand sanitisers.

According to him, events centre operators are also to ensure that participants at any event in their premises do not exceed 50% capacity of the design of their halls while strict compliance with the two-metre spacing between seats must be strictly enforced.

“The monitoring and compliance teams from the Lagos State Special Task Force will step-up enforcement to ensure that entertainment and event centres do not violate COVID-19 regulations.

“Non-compliance with the guidelines on COVID-19 will attract maximum sanctions in accordance with the law.”

However, the Lagos State Safety Commission has trained no fewer than 200 National Road Transport Workers on COVID-19 safety practices at an event themed “Hygiene Management after Ease of COVID-19”, at the Ojota Motor Park and Oshodi New Garage.

In his opening remarks, the Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola affirmed the commitment of the present administration to the safety of lives and property, adding that the training was to sensitise road transport workers on the need to be safety-conscious, identify hazards, desist from drug abuse and maintain personal hygiene as well as occupational safety.

He emphasised that there is a need for commercial vehicle drivers to continue the observance of stipulated guidelines on the Coronavirus disease, advising them to jettison the idea that the disease is no longer rampant or widespread among Lagos residents.

The Lagos State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Comrade Musiliu Akinsanya (a.k.a MC Oluomo) expressed gratitude to Mr. Governor and the Lagos State Safety Commission for the laudable programme aimed at ensuring the safety of lives and property, particularly that of road transport workers.

He urged members of road transport workers to comply with government directives on safety guidelines, stressing that life has no duplicate, hence the need to be safety conscious always.

On his part, the representative of the Federal Road Safety Corps at the event, Mr. Ajibade Adebowale, also enjoined the road transport workers to comply with the directives on the number of passengers in their vehicles as well as other safety precautionary measures to prevent accidents and fatalities on the roads.

The safety kits distributed by the Commission to participants at the training programme included soap, hand sanitisers, nose masks and face towels among others.