By Ese Awhotu
The Lagos State Government has ordered public officers from Grade level 1 to 12 to stay at home for the next 14 days as part of measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the directive yesterday during a statewide address.
He said, “I’m now hereby directing that all public officers in the entire unified public service from grade level 1 to 12 which constitutes about 70% of our entire public workforce should stay at home from Monday 23rd March 2020 for 14 days at the first instance. We will review this as time goes on.”
He advised members of the public to refrain from visiting any of the state’s our public offices and to transact such businesses as is possible that we can do this on the phone or online channels.
The Governor, explained that, “This stay-at-home (order) does not affect any of our first responders, meaning the medical personal are still meant to be at their duty posts, the fire service, members of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LAWMA and other essential services are not affected by this directive.”
He assured that all measures are being put in place to stop the spread of the virus.
This just as he urged residents to maintain the social distancing culture.
“In terms of proactive measures, we are taking to curb the spread of the disease, we have shut down all public and private schools and institutions of higher learning and we have also instructed that we should not allow congregation gatherings of more than 50 people at any time.”
The governor thanked Lagosians who have so far complied with the directive, stating that it is in no way meant to deprive anyone of their freedom.
Sanwo-Olu while fielding questions from journalists, read the riot act to all those who are found violating the rules, saying that, they will be sanctioned and the facilities where whatever gatherings are being held (be it cinemas, religious centres or events), will be shut down by security personnel.
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