Lagos govt dismisses alleged plan to lock down state again over COVID-19

Lagos State Government, yesterday, dismissed insinuation of plans to impose a second lockdown on the state, describing it as baseless and untrue. This came as the state special task force on COVID-19 shut Cubana nightclub, Ikeja GRA, and other facilities for defying the state’s COVID-19 guidelines.

The state government made the explanation in the wake of reported panic buying of foodstuff and other household items by residents, following widespread rumour of re-imposition of lockdown by the state government any moment from this week. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, who gave the clarification when contacted, urged residents to ignore such insinuation and go about their lawful businesses. Omotoso simply said:

“There is no such plan. We have issued guidelines that people should follow to keep us safe and sound. Lagosians are urged to obey the guidelines.” On the free testing, the commissioner called on residents to avail themselves of the free COVID-19 testing services at approved public laboratories across the State.

A statement by the Ministry of Information and Strategy, listed the four locations as Lagos State Bio-Bank (Located inside the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba); Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH, CHAZVY); Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Yaba; and Central Public Health Laboratory, Yaba (Operated by NCDC). Vanguard