Nigerias commercial hub of Lagos is at the center of the countrys coronavirus combat. Lagos has the highest number of confirmed cases (as at April 4) and the state government has continued to roll out multiple measures to deal with the disease.
Lagos has in the past weeks suspended schools across the state be they public or private, 70% of state government workers were asked to stay at home last week with the most recent move being a weeks closure of shops and markets.
The state, with a population of over 20 million, has also been a major beneficiary of coronavirus intervention funds. Governor BabaJide Sanwo-Olu late last week announced a stimulus package to benefit poor people.
Africanews will put a special spotlight on Lagos and major coronavirus developments coming from the state. Our main Nigeria COVID-19 updates page is also available.
May 13: 1990 cases, governor warns of imminent lockdown
We are in very very difficult times, these are no small moments for anyone, these are very very difficult times for all of us. In my last address to the state, i did mention that we are monitoring this ease unlocking that we have given to the state.
We are tracking how people are coplying, and I want to reiterate again that in the next level of days if we do not see the level of compliance that we expect to see, we will be left with no option than to clamp the system again, these are the words of governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He was speaking on Tuesday at the swearing in ceremony of High Court judges in Lagos. He stressed that there was a delicate balance between preserving security and the lives of people. He tasked Lagosians to play their part by respecting all necessary regulations put in place.
The last lockdown on Lagos was imposed by the federal government after a spike in cases across the state. The Federal Capital Territory and Ogun state were also affected. A number of states have since imposed lockdowns and curfews to curb spread of the virus.
Lagos Stats as of May 12: Data by Lagos State Health Ministry and NCDC
Total cases = 1990
Recoveries = 502
Deaths = 34
Two patients have been evacuated and 16 others transferred
Meanwhile, the state government continues to issue guidelines for different sectors of the economy amid the eased lockdown. A number of hospitality outlets that flouted regulations were also closed down.
Police this week reported the arrest of 1,400 people in just a week for flouting measures to stop the spread of coronavirus after the lifting of a lockdown.
The measures include a night-time curfew from 20:00 to 06:00 local time, mandatory wearing of face masks in public and a ban on inter-state travel.
Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu said that 820 people had been arrested for violating the curfew and about 130 people had been arrested for not wearing face masks.
April 8: Court orders quarantine for joggers plus community service
A Magistrate Court in Lagos has sentenced over 30 lockdown flouters to fourteen-day quarantine and a month community service.
