COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu Orders 50% Gathering At Worship Centres As 3rd Wave Hits Lagos
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has ordered all religious houses and worship centres in the state to observe and ensure 50 per cent gathering capacity as the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hits the state.
The governor, according to a statement released Sunday evening, said the order became pertinent given the increasing record of COVID-19 patients since the beginning of July, noting that the increase is an indication of the start of a third wave of infections.
“Since the beginning of July, we have seen a sharp increase in the number of daily confirmed cases, with the test positivity rate increasing from 1.1 percent at the end of June 2021 to 6.6 percent as of 8 July, 2021.
“The rapid increase within a week gives great cause for concern. Also, within the last two weeks, the occupancy rate at our two isolation centres increased from an average of one per cent to six per cent. This is the new and disturbing reality that now confronts us.
“Greater vigilance is required at this time in our churches and mosques and other places of religious worship. Even as we are pleased that religious houses are now open for worship, after the lengthy closures of 2020, we must not allow ourselves to be carried away by the illusion that all is now back to normal.
“This is especially critical, as Sallah approaches, in a little over a week from now. The festivities will no doubt bring people together in large numbers and create conditions that can sadly cause the spread of the corona virus.
“We must not allow this to happen. For this reason, we are mandating full compliance with all protective protocols. [These include] compulsory use of masks in all public places, social distancing, temperature checks, provisions for hand-washing and sanitizers, and a maximum of 50 per cent occupancy in enclosed spaces.
“Resisting pandemic fatigue, while both the federal and state governments have a huge role to play in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, the responsibility of managing the third wave ultimately belongs to all of us,” the statement read.
