By Abba Gwale
The Lagos state Commissioner of Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has revealed that the reopening of schools, worship places, and allowing social gathering are some of the main factors aiding the second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
Prof. Abayomi said this at a press briefing on the state’s response against the second wave, according to a statement issued by the Lagos Ministry of Health.
Abayomi has attributed the reason for the second wave of COVID19 to include, opening up of the economy, general laxity, false sense of security, and non-adherence to safety guidelines by citizens, re-opening of schools, large religious congregations, and social gatherings and entertainment.
He also advised that Nigerians would need to do some adjustments in their lives by adhering to all measures issued by government and health officials such as adhering to all COVID-19 safety protocols, including proper and regular use of face mask, following social distancing guidelines and avoiding mass gatherings.
He urged people to imbibe the culture of regular hand and respiratory hygiene, submitting for tests if symptomatic, self-isolating if positive, and presenting to an isolation centre for follow-up.
Abayomi warned that the case of COVID-19 in Lagos will rise this week with the travellers coming into Lagos is on the rise and there will be an increase of eight percent alone and four percent cumulatively.
He further noted that the large numbers of Nigerians in the Diaspora coming to the country to spend their Christmas and new year break in Lagos can also worsen the situation.
“Passengers must also prior to boarding fill in an online Health Declaration/Self-Reporting form located on the Nigeria International Travel Portal which must be submitted online or printed for presentation on arrival in Nigeria.
“On arrival in Nigeria, passengers must show evidence of payment with an appointment for a repeat PCR test in-country following which passengers will be cleared through the Nigeria Immigration Service.”
“Passengers must then proceed on a seven-day self-isolation as per protocol and present at the designated accredited sample collection sites on the 7th day of arrival. Passengers who test negative after seven days will end self-isolation on the 8th day,” Abayomi affirmed.
