LASG shuts down schools over coronavirus

Forum 4 years ago

LASG shuts down schools over coronavirus

With Lagos confirming five more cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to eight, the state government, on Wednesday, announced closure of all private and public schools from Monday March 23.

The step is part of the preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, the move became necessary to prevent pupils and teachers from becoming more vulnerable to the pandemic.

“It was important for parents to ensure that their children practice ‘social distancing’ while at home, wash their hands regularly or use hand sanitizers and observe high standards of personal hygiene.

“Children should be encouraged to remain at home. The closure is not intended to create panic, but to arrest the spread of the disease, which has become a global threat.

“The Incident Command Centre, headed by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the Incident Commander, will continue to trace all contacts of the identified cases and encourage anyone who has information about suspected cases to report to the nearest hospital or the emergency telephone numbers 08023169485, 08033565529, 08052817243 and 08023401214,” the statement read.

Already, North West governors have announced the closure of all schools across the region to protect citizens from COVID-19.

Chairman of the Forum, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, made this known while speaking with newsmen shortly after an emergency meeting on Wednesday in Kaduna.

He said the measure was taken after consultation with national examination bodies to close all schools for a period of 30 days, starting from Monday, March 23, 2020.

Masari said sensitisation campaigns would commence to discourage large gatherings until further notice.

He also mentioned that the forum resolved to begin public health awareness campaigns on coronavirus.

“States will continue to wage aggressive campaigns to encourage citizens to uphold personal hygiene, including hand washing and environmental sanitation,” he added.