The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered all religious centres to operate at 50 percent capacity amid an outbreak of a third wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the State.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement released on Sunday evening, said the incidence of COVID-19 patients has increased since the beginning of July, indicating the start of a third wave of infections.
He said the test positivity rate has increased from 1.1 percent at the end of June 2021 to 6.6 percent as of July 8th, 2021.
According to him: “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 1% to 6%. 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 Coronavirus. We must not allow this to happen.
“For this reason, we are mandating full compliance with all protective protocols. Compulsory use of masks in all public places, Social distancing, Temperature checks, Provisions for hand-washing and sanitizers, and a maximum of 50 percent occupancy in enclosed spaces. Whilst 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.
