Lagos State government has made a U-turn on plans to re-open churches and mosques in the state on Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 21.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced on Tuesday at a press briefing that the plans have been suspended indefinately due to the rising cases of Covid-19 in the state.
The decision, Sanwo-Olu, said is in line with the government’s ongoing evaluation of evolving scenarios regarding the course of the COVID-19 infection in the State and the corresponding public health advisory guidelines issued by experts.
“As at midnight yesterday, June 15, 2020, Lagos State had recorded a total of 7,319 confirmed cases of Covid-19. Of this number, 1,137 have fully recovered and been discharged, while 82 have sadly died, leaving 6,100 active cases under management in the State.
“Our dear State therefore continues to be the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, with about 44% of the total number of confirmed cases nationwide.
“Let me again say that the steady increase in number of confirmed cases is by no means unexpected. Considering that the infection is now very much in our midst, and testing capacity has increased, the more we test, the more the number of positive cases that will emerge.
“The uplifting news is that, based on the statistics emerging from Lagos State, more than 90 percent of the people who test positive will go on to fully recover under supervision, and be discharged,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The Governor said the earlier restricted reopening had to be suspended because of these developments.
“We have been closely monitoring the situation since then, and have now concluded that we cannot proceed with any form of re-opening for places of worship in Lagos State, until further notice.
“So, let me say this again: we are now hereby suspending, with immediate effect, the plan to re-open religious houses and places of worship in Lagos State, until further notice.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and continue to base our decision-making on data modelling; as well as on the responsibility we have to act in a manner that ensures the protection of all of you the people of Lagos State,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“Therefore, until further notice, all places of worship in Lagos State will remain closed. Social and events centers, and social clubs, will also remain closed, for now,” he said.
The Governor said the state is in the phase where every individual will take full personal responsibility regarding the pandemic.
“This means that, while the government maintains its responsibility to take protective decisions for the common good, what will ultimately save us all and defeat this virus are the sensible personal decisions that we take on a daily basis.”
