Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that schools in the state are set to re-open in September after months of being shutdown.
Schools nationwide had been closed since the emergence of coronavirus in the country in February, however this change after Federal Government gave approval to secondary schools to reopened for graduating students to write examinations.
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The Governor, in a briefing on the state’s COVID-19 status on Saturday, August 29 said tertiary institutions in the state will re-open from September 14.
He added that primary and secondary schools are also tentatively scheduled to re-open from September 21.
Sanwo-Olu stated that;
This decision is not cast in stone and is subject to review of our ongoing modelling and what procedure comes out from the Ministry of Health.
The re-opening order comes six months after all tertiary institutions and basic schools were shut on the order of the Government, following the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.
Sanwo-Olu said the decision to re-open the schools was carefully thought through, given the decline in the number of positive cases and the progress recorded in the State’s response.
He asked the management of the schools to ensure adherence to the safety guidelines as they re-open their campuses for activities.
In addition, the Governor also permitted the re-opening of recreational centres and social clubs that have registered trustees, but on the condition that they obtain a provisional Safety Compliance Certificate through the registration portal of the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC).
He said;
I am pleased to announce that tertiary institutions in Lagos State will re-open from September 14, 2020. We are also working towards the reopening of Primary and Secondary Schools anytime from September 21, 2020. However, the decision to re-open the basic and secondary schools is not cast in stone and is subject to a review of our ongoing modelling of the State’s response to the pandemic.
Sanwo-Olu stated;
Social clubs and recreational centers that have registered trustees have also been permitted to open, on the condition that they have applied for and obtained a Provisional Safety Compliance Certificate through the registration portal of the Lagos State Safety Commission.
Restaurants are now permitted to open for in-dining services, but they must ensure the maintenance of a 50 per cent maximum occupancy at any point in time. They must also have obtained a provisional Safety Compliance Certificate.
The Governor expressed that his Government remained sympathetic to the plight of business owners, especially those operating in hospitality and tourism sectors.
He said the State Government was still reviewing the permissible opening dates for businesses tourism and hospitality industry, pointing out that there would be concrete decisions on easing the lockdown on tourism businesses before the end of September.
The Governor directed that all event centers, bars, lounges, night clubs, spas, beaches, cinemas, gyms and game arcades to remain shut till further notice.
