Sanwo-Olu Shuts Nightclubs, Event Centres, Tertiary Institutions

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the closure of nightclubs, cinemas, bars and social gatherings in the state in a bid to stop the Coronavirus from spreading.

Sanwo-Olu, who announced the ban at a press briefing on Friday, explained that religious activities, wedding and burial receptions, as well as political gatherings, were also affected by the order.

The governor asked residents to avoid large gatherings for whatever reason, saying their cooperation was needed to curb the spread of the virus.

He also announced the closure of all public schools in the state, effective from March 23, 2020, while ordering that all state-owned tertiary institutions should be shut down immediately.

He added, “All our tertiary institutions are hereby directed to shut down immediately and we must abstain from any large gathering of people for whatever reason.

“This means that gatherings at event centres and clubs, both day and night, are also affected by this directive. We must learn from other examples in South Korea and Singapore. The disease spread largely through gatherings both at religious and other spheres.”

The governor also warned that the Bus Rapid Transit in the state should not carry more than 47 at a time and that drivers of commercial buses should avoid overcrowding.

He advised residents against panic-buying, saying the city was not on a lockdown. He, therefore, called on the police to strictly enforce the directive.