COVID-19: Lagos govt eases restrictions on social gatherings, event centres

The Lagos State Government has eased restrictions on social/event centres across the State.

A joint statement issued by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf and the Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola on Friday said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the ease of restriction.

The statement said Sanwo-Olu, after due consultation and deliberations with relevant stakeholders and MDAs, including Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Lagos State Safety Commission, approved the further easing of social centres across the State with immediate effect.

The government said all event centres must hold a valid license of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture prior to operating as an event centre in the State.

“All event centres must be duly registered and verified on the Lagos State Safety Commission website www.lasgsafetyreg.com prior to holding any event.

“An Event Safety Clearance must be obtained from the Lagos State Safety Commission through the website www.lasgsafetyreg.com for any proposed event or exhibition,” it said.

The statement said safety marshals shall be deployed by an accredited event safety consultant from Lagos State Safety Commission for every social event with attendance exceeding over 200 people.

It added that occupancy limit at any event must not exceed 50% of the maximum design capacity of the hall, wherein occupancy limit stickers provided by the Lagos State Safety Commission must be boldly pasted at the entrance of the event hall.

“Maximum allowable capacity for Event Centers irrespective of occupancy limit is 500 people. Deep cleaning must be carried out before and after every event.

“Physical distancing shall be maintained between seated guests and a maximum number of seated guests should be 6 (six) people on a table of 10 (ten)persons. Event duration should not exceed a maximum period of 6-hours.

“All guests and service providers at the facility must wear a nose mask and make use of hand sanitizers All guests and service providers must endeavour to wash their hands before entering the venue or in the alternative use hand sanitizers. Temperature checks must be taken at all entry points into a facility,” the government stated.

The statement further said guests and service providers with temperature (above 37.5) were to be politely turned back and referred to paramedics or the emergency response team on ground.

It said hand sanitizers must be positioned at the entry points and different spots within the hall, while all event centres must endeavour to display standard COVID-19 safety signs.

“The signs must be bold and installed at conspicuous locations. Event centres owners/ planners/vendors would be responsible for any breach of protocols by their staff. He stated that any violation of this protocol shall attract fines and penalties in line with the Lagos State Infectious Diseases Control Regulation 2020,” it added.