Nigeria news : COVID-19 second wave: Sanwo-Olu clears air on imposing total lockdown

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has insisted that the state cannot afford another lockdown.

Sanwo-Olu stated this in a statement released on Saturday.

This comes a day after he ordered schools to close indefinitely and civil servants to work from home as the second wave of COVID-19 sweeps across Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu, who himself is recovering from the virus, had also issued a strong warning to religious organizations and banned gatherings.

“Dear Lagosians, I am overwhelmed by your show of love and concern about my health and wellbeing. I must admit that the gesture touched me deeply and reaffirmed our connection to one another as humans.

“I acknowledge and thank you very sincerely and pray that none of us will lose our lives to COVID-19, and in any other preventable circumstance.

“To families that have lost loved ones to the virus, I pray that God grants you the fortitude to bear the loss.

“Yesterday, we issued guidelines to help us in the next phase of our battle with the virus. Lagosians have relaxed, and the effects are evident with increasing cases and unfortunate deaths.

These guidelines will affect us all, but we need to be strong, and we need to persevere.

“We cannot afford another total lockdown, so I enjoin us to keep observing the prescribed protocols and the required lifestyle adjustments that will help us enter 2021 stronger, healthier, and safer.

“Let’s do this for our families and friends. Let’s by our actions demonstrate that we truly love our neighbors.

“Let us demonstrate awareness about the existence of COVID-19 in our communities and live right to reduce and eliminate its spread deliberately.

“I wish you the best of this season and pray that God Almighty will continue to protect us,” the statement read.