Richard Ginika Izuora
Social life would begin to return to Lagos in coming weeks following announcement of ease of COVID-19 restrictions on social and event centres across the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the approval on Friday, April 9, after due consultation and deliberations with relevant stakeholders, as well as Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos, Mrs Uzamat Yusuff, and the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, further confirmed the development via a press release containing the new guidelines for social and event centres.
According to the statement, any violation of the protocol would attract fines and penalties; in line with the Lagos State Infectious Diseases Control Regulation 2020.
The new guidelines are:
- 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.
- All event centres must be duly registered and verified on The Lagos State Safety Commission website www.lasgsafetyreg.com prior to holding any event.
- An Event Safety Clearance must be obtained from the Lagos State Safety Commission through the website www.lasgsafetyreg.com for any proposed event or exhibition.
- 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% 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 Centres 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; as well as a maximum number of seated guests should be 6 (six) people on a table of 10 persons.
- Event duration should not exceed a maximum period of 6-hours.
- All guests and service providers at the facility must wear a nose mask; and make use of hand sanitizers
- All guests and service providers must endeavour to wash their hands before entering the venue; or in the alternative use hand sanitizers.
- Temperature checks must be taken at all entry points into a facility.
- Guests and service providers with temperature (above 37.5) are to be politely turned back; and referred to paramedics or the emergency response team on ground.
- Hand sanitizers must be positioned at the entry points and different spots within the hall.
- All event centres must endeavour to display standard COVID-19 safety signs. The signs must be bold and installed at conspicuous locations.
- Event centre owners/ planners/vendors would be responsible for any breach of protocols by their staff.