The Lagos State Safety Commission has directed owners and operators of hotels, nightclubs, event centres, lounges and other social establishments to strengthen hygiene and safety measures following global health alerts on Ebola virus outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa.
NewsWatch Metro reports that the advisory comes amid enhanced biosecurity screening at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, even though no confirmed case has been recorded in Lagos or anywhere in Nigeria.
In a statement made available to NewsWatch Metro on Tuesday, the commission noted that the advisory was prompted by the state’s status as a “major international travel hub and commercial epicentre,” adding that proactive measures were necessary to safeguard residents and visitors.
The statement read, “Following the recent global health declarations regarding the Ebola virus outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa and the subsequent strengthening of biosecurity screening protocols by the Federal Government at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
“The Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, has issued a critical precautionary advisory directed at all owners, operators, and managers of hospitality and social establishments across the state.
“The Commission strongly emphasises that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola within Lagos State or Nigeria; however, the city’s status as a major international travel hub and commercial epicentre necessitates immediate, proactive measures to safeguard residents and visitors alike.
“He maintained that high-density social venues, including nightclubs, hotels, event centres, lounges, and restaurants, must take the lead in establishing preventive measures due to the high volume of face-to-face and close-contact interactions inherent in their operations.
He stated that the commission, in line with its mandate to ensure public safety, had directed all public and private operators to immediately reinstate mandatory hand hygiene stations equipped with running water and liquid soap, or commercial-grade alcohol-based hand sanitisers, at all facility entry points and common areas.
“He enjoined all establishments to significantly increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfection routines, utilising hospital-grade disinfectants on all high-touch surfaces such as countertops, door handles, handrails, menus, and payment terminals.
“Furthermore, he urged management teams to properly train front-of-house, housekeeping, and security personnel to recognise early symptoms of illness, implement daily health checks for staff, and enforce a strict stay-at-home policy for any employee exhibiting signs of fever,” the statement added.
The statement further mandated hospitality centres to designate a temporary, well-ventilated holding area on-site to safely isolate any patron or staff member who experiences sudden, severe illness while awaiting medical evacuation.
“In addition to sanitation protocols, venue operators are advised to manage crowd capacities to minimise extreme physical overcrowding and ensure optimal ventilation within enclosed spaces.
“Mojola urged all operators to remain calm, vigilant, and fully cooperative, noting that safety inspectors will increase routine monitoring and support visits across the state to ensure compliance.
“Any suspected medical emergency involving severe fever or illness must be immediately isolated and reported to the official Lagos State health hotlines at 08023169485, 08033565529 or 07000SAFETY,” the statement added.
According to an NBC report on Sunday, May 31, more than 40 people have died in a worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, where government authorities and international aid organisations are struggling to contain the spread of the disease.
The current strain, the Bundibugyo virus, is described by the World Health Organisation as “a severe and often fatal form” of Ebola.
The WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 43 confirmed deaths across both countries as of Saturday, May 30, including 42 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and one in Uganda, according to the WHO.
The report also indicated that 349 suspected deaths have been recorded in both countries.
According to the WHO, the virus is believed to originate from fruit bats, with human infection occurring through contact with secretions from infected wildlife.
