Coronavirus: Ogun State bans cinemas, night clubs, restaurants, others for 30 days

Cinemas, night clubs, restaurants, cafes and many other businesses that involve large gathering have been banned from operating in Ogun State, as the government announces stricter measures after the new confirmed cases of coronavirus in Nigeria.

The state government took the decision after fresh cases of coronavirus were recorded in Lagos and Ekiti. Note that the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Nigeria was discovered in Ogun State after arriving in Nigeria for a short business trip at Lafarge facility in the state.

Aside from the mentioned businesses, which were banned from operating to limit exposure to coronavirus, social clubs, halls and sports arenas were also placed on the ban list. Businesses that record 50 or more people during operating hours were directed to stop operation for the next 30 days.

This shutdown of businesses is part of stricter measures being employed by countries with high cases of coronavirus, but with the figure rising in Nigeria, the state government said the directive was a precaution needed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Ogun State.

[READ MORE: Lagos to stop Sunday, Juma’at services)

Commenting on the decision taken by his government, Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun said in a press statement, “The safety of our people and their welfare are priorities that cannot be toyed with.

“Further to measures so far taken to ramp up its efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the Ogun State Government has found it expedient to announce the following additional measures: Immediate ban of all high-density gatherings that would bring together 50 or more persons in the same place, such as social clubs, halls, cinemas, night clubs, restaurants, cafes, and sports arenas.”

According to Governor Abiodun, “This measure will be in effect for the next 30 days in the first instance. The government will continue the surveillance initiatives and intensify sensitization on COVID-19. This is more so given the peculiarity of its location as the Nation’s Gateway State and its industrial capital.

“Our epidemiologists and other health workers are working round the clock with Federal agencies and international development agencies to stop the spread of coronavirus.”