Festus Akanbi
The Lagos State Government yesterday announced the relaxation of the restrictions on social gatherings and event centres in the state.
The statement signed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile Yusuff, and the Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, said the decision to ease the restriction was taken after due consultations with relevant stakeholders in the state.
According to the statement titled ‘Lagos State Government Eases Restrictions on Social and Event Centres, COVID-19 protocols must be complied with’, warning that “any violation of this protocol shall attract fines and penalties in line with the Lagos State Infectious Diseases Control Regulation 2020.”
“The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, after due consultation and deliberations with relevant stakeholders and MDA’s including The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Lagos State Safety Commission has approved the further easing of social centres across the State with immediate effect,” it added.
In reeling out new guidelines for social/event reopening, Akinbile-Yusuff and Mojola, who insisted that COVID-19 protocols must be complied with, said that “any violation of this protocol shall attract fines and penalties in line with the Lagos State Infectious Diseases Control Regulation 2020.”
Some of the guidelines stated that event centres must register before reopening and event duration should not exceed a maximum period of six hours.
The guidelines read in part, “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.
“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.
“Occupancy limit at any event must not exceed 50 per cent 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 six people on a table of 10 persons.
“Event duration should not exceed a maximum period of six hours.
“Event center owners/ planners/vendors would be responsible for any breach of protocols by their staff.”
