Lagos State government, on Tuesday, disclosed that a total of 78,564 confirmed cases of COVID-19 was recorded in the state as of December 5, 2021, just as it announced that Lagos was also currently experiencing the beginnings of a fourth wave of the pandemic, calling on everyone to get vaccinated and join hands with the government in managing this wave of the pandemic in this festive season by following the guidelines already put in place.
This was just as the governor rolled out new guidelines to be strictly observed at social events as a way to mitigate the spread of the Fourth Wave of the pandemic, saying every attendee of a social gathering must present his or her Vaccination Cards or digital bar code page showing at least first dose but preferably double dose full vaccination, adding: “Under 18 years of age are unvaccinated and the above applies.”
The state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the call while giving an update on the pandemic, even as he commiserated with all Lagos residents who lost their loved ones during the third wave of the COVID-19, saying the state government’s heart go out to them all “and the Incident Command System will continue to do everything that we can to mitigate the impact of this pandemic.”
The governor, while noting that the fourth wave was brought by the non-adherence to the laid down protocols to mitigate this pandemic, said the state government was out to strictly enforce the reviewed guidelines on travel protocols churned out by the Presidential Steering Committee, concerning all passengers arriving in Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu listed the guidelines to include: A COVID-19 PCR test to be done within 48hrs before by passengers departure, Post-arrival Day 2 COVID-19 PCR test to be carried by passengers, that All partially and unvaccinated individuals must self-isolate for 7 days following arrival into the country and a Day 7 release PCR test be conducted as well.
“All outbound passengers to demonstrate evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19
“Negative PCR test result within 48hrs from the time to boarding a flight out of Nigeria must the carried out,” the governor stated.
Speaking on the review of the guidelines, which he said was based on science, national experience and global developments, Governor Sanwo-Olu vowed that the state government would do all within its power to enforce them and prosecute anyone found wanting in compliance with them through the State Mobile Courts.
According to him, “This would be carried out in partnership with the Presidential Steering Committee. In addition, all foreigners that flout the rules would be subject to possible deportation.
“Therefore, I implore all intending inbound passengers to perform their required tests at any of the private laboratories within the Lagos State Private Laboratory Consortium as and at when due.”
On ways to mitigating the Fourth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the governor said the state government was poised to increasing the percentage of vaccinated residents of Lagos State from 1.6 per cent to 30 per cent within one year, adding that he had specifically mandated the Lagos State Ministry of Health to administer 8 million doses to 4 million residents by the 25th of December 2021 under the “Count Me In campaign.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the state government had deployed a robust strategy that involved the private sector to improve access to vaccines, disclosing that his government also planned to launch 30 private priority sites for those who wanted to be vaccinated within a private health facility.
Speaking further, Sanwo-Olu rolled out guidelines for social events and gatherings during the festive period, saying all social events must be duly registered to obtain Event Safety Clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission website: www.lasgsafetyreg.com prior to holding; and the guidelines set out below must be strictly adhered to.
The governor, as Incident Commander listed that where possible, events should be held outdoors, saying the occupancy limit at any event must not exceed 60 per cent of maximum design capacity of the event centre.
According to him, the rules stipulates that every attendee of a social gathering must present his or her Vaccination Cards or digital bar code page showing at least first dose but preferably double dose full vaccination, adding: “Under 18 years of age are unvaccinated and the above applies.”
“Every attendee of a social gathering MUST present their Vaccination Cards or digital bar code page showing at least first dose but preferably double dose full vaccination.
“In unvaccinated people, a negative PCR within 72 hours will be an exemption.
“Everybody, irrespective of vaccination status, MUST be subject to Rapid Diagnostic test (Antigen) to be conducted AT THE EVENT VENUE OR within 24hrs prior to the event at designated laboratories. (Request for rapid tests at the venue requires an application through the Safety Commission).
“Under 18 years of age are unvaccinated and the above applies.
“Guests and service providers with high temperature (above 37.5) are to be politely turned back and referred to paramedics or the emergency response team on the ground.
“All guests and service providers at the event must wear a nose mask or face shield before entry.
“All guests and service providers must endeavour to wash their hands before entering the venue or use hand sanitisers after which temperature checks should be carried out.
“Hand sanitisers to be positioned at the entry point and at different spots within the venue.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration would continue to do everything within its power to ensure the preservation of the lives and livelihood of residents of Lagos State, despite the huge financial obligation and constraints associated with managing the pandemic.
He again expressed his appreciation to all members of the State Emergency Operations Centre and all other health workers in the public and private sectors, as well as their colleagues in the federal institutions for their dedication and commitment in the management of this response, calling on all residents of Lagos to comply with all guidelines and join hands with the government in the management of this pandemic.
“Despite the huge financial obligation and constraints associated with managing this pandemic, our administration will continue to do everything within its power to ensure the preservation of the lives and livelihood of residents of Lagos State.
“As always, I would like to thank all members of our Emergency Operations Centre and our Incident Command System, in addition to all our health workers in the public and private sectors, without leaving out our colleagues in the federal institutions for their dedication and commitment in the management of this response.
“Once again, I implore all residents of Lagos to comply with all guidelines and join hands with the government in the management of this pandemic,” the governor said.