Lagos weighs fresh lockdown options via digital poll

* State records 2,041 COVID-19 cases, discharges 528 patients with 33 deaths

* Residents say no to new Lagos lockdown

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In view of the reported non-compliance with certain measures the authorities have put in place to curb further spread of Coronavirus pandemic in several states across the country, Lagos, Nigeria’s biggest city, has taken to Twitter to gauge support for a new lockdown as authorities complain residents aren’t following public-health guidelines.

Considering the level of compliance with government’s directives on limiting the spread of Covid-19 in a Lagos State in particular, should the State Government impose another lockdown or not? @jidesanwoolu @JokeSanwoolu @drobafemihamzat @ProfAkinAbayomi @LSMOH @gboyegaakosile @Mr_JAGss— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) May 12, 2020.

More than 52,000 people had voted in the poll by 9 a.m. local time on Wednesday, May 13 with more than half supporting another lockdown. The poll still has two days to go, agency reports say.

The state, regarded as the epicentre of Coronavirus infections in the country, has recorded 2,041 cases with 1,480 persons on admission, 528 people discharged, and 33 deaths as of 4:56p.m. Thursday, May 14,2020.

The figure is said to be about 42% of known cases in Africa’s most populous country, as the number of people with the illness has risen 69% since a six-week lockdown was eased on May 4, 2020.

With an estimated population of 22 million, Lagos is known for its chaotic transport systems, traffic congestions and crowded markets, all of which returned as soon as people were allowed to go back to work.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, recently warned that he would be forced to reimpose restrictions if residents continue to disregard physical distancing.

Sanwo-Olu had stated in a tweet, that “despite massive advocacy, it is disappointing to see the crowd at banks & markets across the state flouting the guidelines.

“We will not hesitate to review the terms of #EasingTheLockdown if we do not see an improvement in the adherence to our public health guidelines over the next couple of days.”

ConsumerConnect, however, gathered that the Lagos residents have appealed to the governor to consider other ways of combating the COVID-19 pandemic and spare another lockdown across the metropolis.

Despite having a lower vote in the poll billed to end on Friday, May 15, most residents remarked on Twitter to appeal to the state government to jettison any plan for another lockdown because “the people have to learn to live with the virus for as long as it lasts.”

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