Lagos Govt. Issues New COVID-19 Operational Rules To Banks, Malls, Industries, Others
By Idowu Abdullahi,
The Lagos State Government has issued new operational guidelines to commercial banks; malls, industries, and recreational facilities which recently reopened for business after weeks of lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
It said the new operational guidelines were part of measures put in place by the government to mitigate further community spread in the country, saying such was adopted in line with the mode of operations of commercial banks; malls, industries, and recreational facilities.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, explained that the new guidelines include decontamination of premises, facilities by using government-certified outfits and approved disinfectants, fumigants as outlined in the Lagos State Public Health Law 2015 as well as Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017.
The Commissioner, through a statement the Ministry’s Director, Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina, listed those affected by the new guidelines to include facilities such as supermarkets; stores and eateries; industrial facilities: all manufacturing and packaging facilities; bulk terminals, logistics and haulage companies.
Others include corporate and financial Business which include all banks and finance houses, Bureau de Change, insurance companies, and corporate offices, construction camps and sites and commercial facilities: oil, gas, petrol and diesel depots, petrol and gas filling stations, bus Parks and terminals, malls, grocery stores, supermarkets.
Also, institutional facilities: all public and private schools across all tiers; government establishments, religious centres as well as residential facilities- private estates are among part of the facilities affected by the guidelines whenever they are reopened.
Bello said those affected must adhered to earlier guidelines of operation at 60 per cent of staff strength to ensure physical distancing, adding that adequate provision of personal hygiene facilities such as running water and soap for handwashing, digital thermometer, alcohol-based sanitizers and nose masks must be present at all times in their facilities.
He called on all establishments place premiums on the lives of their staff by supporting efforts of the state government in its bid to gain control against the respiratory disease by installing appropriate environmental, safety and warning signages for employees and customers about required and suggested precautionary measures.
“With the ravaging coronavirus, proper cleaning and sanitation of the facility environment which includes proper storage and proper waste disposal should be strictly adhered to. Also, as part of the guidelines, organisations must work on the reconfiguration of spaces to permit the required distance between employees and between clients, customers and also establish alternate means to serve customers, as applicable.
“Organizations must plan work schedules and shifts to accommodate staggered shifts and in line with the Lagos State Government and National Centre for Disease Control guidelines,” the statement read.
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