The Yuletide season is fast approaching and as a norm Nigerians will be involve in so many social events and gatherings for celebration.
With the existence of the Covid-19 virus and its Variant- Omicron, the Lagos State Goverment, yesterday, issued guidelines for social activities and gatherings across the state during the Yuletide season.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu In a statement said that all social events must be registered on the Lagos State Safety Commission website.
He Governor narrated: “Where possible events should be held in an outdoor space. Occupancy limit at any event must not exceed 60 per cent of the maximum design capacity of the Commission. Every attendee of a social gathering must present his/her vaccination card or digital bar code page, showing at least first dose but preferably double dose full vaccination.
“In unvaccinated people, a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours will be an exemption. Everybody irrespective of vaccination status must be subject to Rapid Diagnostic Test (Antigen) to be conducted at the event venue or within 24 hours, prior to the event. Request for rapid tests at the venue requires an application through the safety commission.
“Guests and service providers with high temperature (above 37.5) are to be politely turned back and referred to paramedics or the emergency response team on ground. All guests and service providers at the event must wear a nose mask or face shield before entry. All guests and service providers must endeavor to wash their hands before entering the venue or use hand sanitisers after which temperature checks should be carried out. Hand sanitizers to be positioned at the entry point and different spots within the venue.”
While some sees the Lagos State guidelines as disturbance to their freedom of celebration in the Yuletide season, others have agreed that’s it’s “necessary” to take such step in order to be proactive against the new waves of the Covid-19 variants.
As at December 7, 2021, Nigeria had already registered about six confirmed cases of the Covid-19 Variant-Omicron which has made the UK to “red list” the country in it travel ban.
Health Secretary of UK Sajid Javid said some days ago that there was a “significant number” of Omicron cases linked to travel with Nigeria, with 27 cases recorded in England.
Presently, Nigerians are being denied travel visas to the UK and some other countries.