COVID-19 Update: Sanwo-Olu Set To Reopen Lagos Schools In September
Daily Metro News NG
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has revealed that the state is ready to re-open its schools in September.
Sanwo-Olu made this revelation on Saturday at the regular briefing on the state’s COVID-19 status, said tertiary institutions in the state will re-open from September 14, while primary and secondary schools are also billed tentatively to re-open from September 21.
Sanwo-Olu said, “This decision is not cast in stone and is subject to review of our ongoing modelling and what procedure comes out from the Ministry of Health.”
The Governor further explained that the state’s decision to re-open the schools was based on indications that the pandemic has peaked in the state, as the number of new cases continues to steadily decline.
Sanwo-Olu also said, restaurants are now permitted to open for in-dining services, emphasizing that they must continue to ensure spaces are only filled up to 50 percent capacity at all times.
On the re-opening of event centres, bars, night clubs, beaches, cinemas, the Governor said a review will be done in September to decide whether to allow a re-opening of such public spaces.
Responding to a question on whether the Federal Government’s 10 pm curfew still holds in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu said yes.
“These are challenging times for all of us,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu was optimistic during Saturday’s briefing, stressing that Lagos State still remains the country’s epicenter of the pandemic, despite encouraging data.
Lagos has accounted for more than one third of the over 53,000 COVID-19 cases in Nigeria but has seen low double-digit daily records in the past week.
On Friday, the State recorded just 27 new cases, according to the records of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has repeatedly praised Lagos for its response to the pandemic, especially for its testing rates.
Meanwhile, the ban on international flights is expected to be lifted on September 5 haven changed from the August 27th earlier announced, due to the increased pressure of possible imported cases.
During Saturday’s briefing, Sanwo-Olu vowed to personally inspect airport facilities and ensure all precautions are taken to keep people in the State safe.
“We will be working with the Ministry of Aviation and NCDC to ensure the safety at our airports are next to none,” he concluded.