Sanwo-Olu postpones ‘Walk for Peace’ over Omicron fears

Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has suspended preparations for the peace walk he called for as the state records more cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus.

Sanwo-Olu called for the peace walk on November 30, hours before the state released a white paper on the reports submitted by a judicial panel that investigated cases of police brutality in the state and the shooting of unarmed protesters at Lekki Toll Gate on the evening of October 20, 2020.

“Between Tuesday 30, November 2021 that I made my address and now, we have seen a significant rise in cases associated with the Omicron variant of this pandemic,” the governor said on Thursday.

Lagos is the epicentre of the battle against the pandemic in Nigeria. State authorities earlier in the week released strict guidelines for concerts and other festive activities as Christmas and New Year celebrations draw near.

Commissioner for information Gbenga Omotosho said all social events must be registered for safety clearance before holding. Moreover, concertgoers must show evidence of being fully or partially vaccinated before being admitted to an event venue, which must not exceed 60% of the original capacity.

“In unvaccinated people, a negative PCR test within 72 hours will be an exemption,” Omotoso said.

He said all guests and service providers with temperatures above 37.5 should be “politely turned back and referred to paramedics or the emergency response team on ground.”

The state also advised that hand washing facilities and sanitisers should be provided so that people can wash their hands before entering venues.

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is also appropriate, at this moment, to request that we should all exercise a high degree of care and responsibility towards ourselves and loved ones during the festive season,” Omotoso said.