Notwithstanding the speedy reopening of business activities in Lagos State, experts have warned that the rate of daily recorded infections for COVID-19 is still on the high side. With the opening of worship centres next weekend, it is expected that many Lagosians from the various religious sects and denominations who have hitherto been in self isolation these past weeks would have reasons to come out to worship publicly, thereby further bridging the gap created by social distancing. However, some health experts who spoke to us cautioned that failure to abide strictly with the guidelines put in place by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, would further exacerbate the situation. A top high ranking official of the Lagos State government revealed that government was already overwhelmed with the rising cases of daily infections in the state but have no other choice than to open the lockdown due to pressures from various quarters. “As I talk to you, our isolation centres are already over-filled with patients. Indeed, the state governor has advised that only serious cases should be referred to the isolation centres for treatment while milder cases can be treated at home.”
On the rationale for the reopening of the state for full commercial activities despite the threat still posed by the virus, the official said the decision was in order to quell the pang of hunger and avoid total breakdown of the system. “We were receiving so many complaints of people starving. The palliatives were not enough and you cannot just keep people locked up for long without providing them with food. Besides, life must go on, despite the virus. It is now left for everyone to be very careful and not expose themselves to the virus. Avoid crowded places, wear your facemasks always and use hand sanitizers as often as possible,” he warned. Over 13, 500 Nigerians have so far contracted the virus with Lagos State recording close to 50% of the figures
