The Lagos state government has eased the lockdown imposed on event centres in the Hospitality and Tourism industry due to the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, made this known during a live Instagram session on Sunday.
She explained that event centres are free to re-open for business provided they have registered with the state government through its newly introduced Register-to-Open initiative.
The commissioner noted that the initiative was meant to certify the safety preparedness of the establishments before they are allowed to re-open for business activities.
Responding to speculations relating to whether the number of persons allowed would exceed 20 persons, Akinbile-Yusuf, explained that at-most one-fifth of the capacity of the centre should house not more than 500 persons.
She said: “This depends on the size of the event hall, if it is going to one-fifth of the normal occupancy level of each venue, then that is fine but no matter how big the event hall, it cannot occupy more than 500 people at a time, that is what the guideline says.
“This is not about 20 individuals in a building now, what we are saying is that one can have at-most one-fifth of the capacity of the hall. If you have a large event hall that can accommodate as many as 5,000, the maximum one cannot exceed is more than 500 at a time.”
Akinbile-Yusuf added: “We have global guidelines that deal with both social and religious centres but we have specific ones for certain categories.”
Also speaking yesterday on 99.3 Nigeria Info FM in Lagos, Lanre Mojola, said once the above-listed establishments complete the Safety/Compliance registration that is free, such businesses can open.
He, however, added that with the information provided in the registration form online, his office will use those details provided to monitor them virtually or by through physical presence.
By Lucky Onoriode George, Lagos, Nigeria.