To prevent the spread of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, the Lagos State Government says guests attending social gatherings across the State would be required to present proof of vaccination.
Aside from presenting the COVID vaccination evidence, all social gatherings in the State must be registered and permit obtained from the State’s Safety Commission, while occupancy limit at any event must not exceed 60 per cent of the maximum design capacity of the event centre.
All attendees of social events, 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, including those under 18 years of age.
Unvaccinated guests would be required to present a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test conducted on them within 72 hours prior to the social gathering.
The new measures were announced in a statement by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Commiserating with all Lagos residents who lost their loved ones during the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Governor who noted that the State is
experiencing the beginnings of a fourth wave with current positivity rate at 6% against the positivity rates of 0.1% as at the middle of November this year, stated that the fourth wave was brought by the non-adherence to the laid down protocols again, appealed to residents to get vaccinated and join hands with Government in managing this wave of the pandemic in this festive season by following the set guidelines, especially regarding use of face masks, public gatherings and travelling in and out of Lagos State.
He urged all Lagos residents who have been fully vaccinated previously to proceed to any of the public health facilities to receive the recommended booster dose free or to go to any of the 30 approved private priority health facilities to access them for an administrative fee of N4,500 per dose.
On the reviewed travel protocols by the Presidential Steering Committee, including Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos would do all within its power to enforce these new mandates and would prosecute anyone found wanting in compliance with them through
He said over the next couple of days, his administration would release policies to facilitate the uptake of vaccines to achieve desirable herd immunity.
The Governor maintained that the
State is still offering free COVID-19 testing at all public facilities for those that fit the case definition for COVID-19 infections, and that 10 sample collection sites at the Local Government levels are still being operated
Fake Covid Test Results And Vaccination Cards
Governor Sanwo-Olu said that government had received information about intending outbound passengers procuring fake Covid test results and/or vaccination cards for travel purposes.
Describing the trend as very worrisome, the Governor said the State is currently working with the NCDC, DSS and the Police to investigate and bring to book the criminal gangs involved in this reprehensible activity, while those patronizing them would also be liable to prosecution and very stiff penalties.
“Our State Mobile Courts will be used to prosecute all those involved in flouting the regulations; as well as those engaged in the fraudulent production of fake covid test results and vaccination certificates” he warned
LAGOS Epidemiology Update
As of the 5th of December 2021, Lagos State had recorded a total of 78,564 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of this number, 71,977 have recovered in community and 612 are being managed actively in community. Over the course of managing the COVID-19 pandemic, about 6,066 patients have been admitted into our various COVID-19 care centres in Lagos: with 686 registered fatalities.
The Governor urged all residents of Lagos State to take advantage of EKOTELEMED and the home-based care programme through the toll-free number 08000EKOMED (08000356633) if they have any symptoms associated with COVID-19 or have tested positive for the virus.