Lagos begins sensitisation on use of nose masks by residents

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In connection with the use of nose masks as one of the key measures against the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the need to curb the community transmission in the state, the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy has commenced advocacy on the importance of the use of nose masks in diverse locations across the metropolis.

Mr. Bode Lawal, an Assistant Director and leader of the team, during the exercise, tagged, “Mask-Up-Lagos”, said the advocacy was geared towards encouraging all residents of Lagos State on the need to support the efforts of the State Government to curb the spread of the global pandemic by using nose masks.

Lagosians wearing nose masks in public.  Photo: EuroNews

Lawal said that most Lagosians still were disobeying the directive of the Lagos State Government (LASG) on the use of the protective equipment, especially in public.

There is a need for all citizens to abide by the safety regulations issued by the State Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), he stated.

The LASG Assistant Director said: “The Governor Sanwo-Olu-led administration introduced the compulsory wearing of face masks in Lagos State in order to protect all residents from droplets and secretions from coughing and sneezing, due to the fact that not everyone that is infected will show symptoms of the disease.”

“The regular use of face masks, especially in public, combined with frequent hand washing, social/physical distancing as well as embracing other personal hygiene safety tips are the most effective ways of containing the community spread of this ravaging pandemic,” he submitted.

He stressed that the enlightenment campaign being carried out with the use of handbills, flyers and digital van display, actually focused on ensuring that the general public was adequately sensitised on the importance of nose masks, and how it can prevent the spread of the dangerous disease within the state.

“Mask-Up-Lagos” initiative by the present administration, the state government commissioned the production of face masks made to specifications by guidelines released by the State Ministry of Health and distributed more than a million to residents across the state free of charge,” Lawal noted.

He urged Lagosians to comply fully with the #MaskUp policy of the Lagos State government for the safety of everyone, that the advocacy will be extended to every part of the state in order to achieve the desired result.

Some of the locations covered during Monday’s advocacy campaign included Maryland, Palmgrove, Onipanu, Ojuelegba, Funsho Williams Avenue, Stadium, Bode Thomas, Iponri, Constain, Orile and Apapa among other locations across the state.