The Lagos State Government has placed urged banks to encourage their customers to do more of online transactions, as part of precautionary measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The government also directed Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) not to accept eat-in customers, but serve customers in take-away packs.
In a televised briefing after State’s Security Council meeting held at the State House in Marina, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the restriction measures were necessary, given the rise in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Lagos.
According to him, the new directives are part of the efforts to break the cycle of transmission of the disease and would take effect from Thursday, March 26.
Nairametrics had reported when Sanwo-Olu also ordered all markets and stores trading in non-essential commodities to close for seven days, from March 26 to April 2, after which the decision will be reviewed.
[READ MORE: OPS writes Buhari, demands tax holidays amid COVID-19 crisis)
The Governor also advised the organised private sector to take cue from the state government stay-at-home order for public sector workers, and allow non-essential workers to work from home.
He requested banks and other financial institutions to prioritise online channels for their services to the public, adding that only essential and key senior staff should be allowed to work in the office during the restriction period.
He, however, noted that the directives were not aimed at effecting a lockdown on business activities in the State, as they would be reviewed after seven days.
“It is only when you are alive that you can talk about economics and finance. We want to encourage the organised private sector to allow their workers to work from home.
“Banks and other financial institutions are encouraged to prioritise online channels for their services to the public with only essential key staff being in the office during this time. Only key staff should be present.
“We are a subset of a sovereign. We are not a sovereign. This is why we cannot completely lock down Lagos. We need to be considerate,” he said.
[READ ALSO: COVID-19: NAFDAC to grant emergency approval for necessary products)
The government exempted pharmacy shops and all markets where foodstuffs are traded, even while parks, playgrounds, and recreational centres within the state, regardless of ownership are to be shut down for the period.
The governor also discouraged Lagosians from embarking of any kind of inter-state travelling until the worst of the crisis is over.
