TheCable

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, says the state cannot afford another total lockdown amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Friday said there were indications that the country had entered a second wave of the pandemic.

“In Nigeria, the indication is that we have entered a second wave of infections, and we stand the risk of not just losing the gains from the hard work of the last nine months, but also losing the precious lives of our citizens”, Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, who represented Boss Mustapha, chairman of the PTF, said.

Sanwo-Olu, who went into isolation last Saturday after testing positive for COVID-19, advised residents to adhere to health protocol and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to help limit the spread of the virus.

“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,” he said.

“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 neighbours.

“Let us demonstrate awareness about the existence of COVID-19 in our communities and live right to deliberately reduce and eliminate its spread. I wish you the best of this season and pray that God Almighty will continue to protect us.

The governor thanked those who have prayed for his quick recovery, saying he is touched by the gesture.

“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,” he said.

“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.”