The Lagos State Government has Governor has banned the gathering of more than 50 persons in an enclosed space, except for religious purposes.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the order on Sunday as he gave an update on the Covid-19 in the State.
This came as the Presidency warned Nigerians to observe all protocols to avert fresh lockdown.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the order is in line with the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021 signed last week by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The State Government has observed with dismay the widespread flagrant disregard and non-adherence to guidelines and protocols aimed at stemming and curbing the tide of infection.
“We particularly note that some event centres have been operating their premises outside the acceptable parameters for operation/usage and continue to be recalcitrant in this regard.
“This is to sound a very serious note of warning that henceforth all those found culpable and in breach of the existing regulations and guidelines would be swiftly and decisively dealt with in full accordance with the provisions of the law.
“Furthermore, and in line with the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021 signed last week by President Muhammadu Buhari, it is hereby directed that no gathering of more than 50 persons shall hold in an enclosed space, except for religious purposes, in which case the gathering shall not exceed 50% capacity of the space.
“A breach of the provisions of the Presidential Regulations attracts upon summary conviction, a fine or six-month imprisonment and or both. Our enforcement agencies have been appropriately tasked to ensure maximum compliance.
“All Lagosians are enjoined to continue to observe all laid down guidelines and protocols issued by both the State and Federal governments for the effective containment and treatment of the novel coronavirus disease.”
Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, said on Sunday that the Presidency was worried by media reports of non-compliance with the regulations, which make wearing of masks and observation of social distancing in the public mandatory.
The statement was titled “Presidency: Nigerians should comply with mandatory mask-wearing to avert lockdowns”.
“The Buhari administration is most reluctant to lock down the country and continues to emphasise the non-pharmaceutical measures, and the only way to avert lockdowns is to observe these measures as put in place by the Presidential Task Force,” the statement said.
“Nigerians have come a long way from the dreaded lockdown and the administration is unhappy about any prospects of bringing it back as many citizens will not have food on the table without venturing out on a day-to-day business.
“Nigerians are required to wear masks, wash hands regularly with soap and clean water, and keep a safe distance with anybody not in your household, hoping that this will help check the spread of COVID-19.
“Though vaccine availability is within reach, the propensity of the public for noncompliance weakens the fight against the virus.
“Nigerians must ignore baseless conspiracy theories that seek to deny the reality of the pandemic by complying with the order to wear masks.”
However, the significance of the statement seems to have been reduced by the public outcry against President Buhari’s appearance in public without a face mask.
Among those that criticized the president was the opposition People’s Democratic Party, which alleged that he violated the regulations on COVID-19 which he signed last week.
The party said the President violated the regulations about the use of PDP in a statement noted that the President violated the regulations on the use of face mask and physical distancing as he took part in the All Progressives Congress membership registration and validation in his home town, Daura in Katsina State.
