Lagos orders hygiene upgrade in hotels, clubs over Ebola alert

Lagos State has issued a directive to owners and operators of hotels, nightclubs, event centers, lounges, and other social establishments, mandating them to bolster hygiene and safety measures. This precautionary advisory comes in response to global health alerts concerning Ebola virus outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa.

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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 Lagos State Safety Commission emphasized that while there are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola in Lagos or Nigeria, the state's position as a major international travel hub necessitates proactive measures. The advisory aligns with enhanced biosecurity screening protocols implemented at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

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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.

Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, stressed that high-density social venues, due to their high volume of close-contact interactions, must take the lead in preventive measures. The commission has directed all public and private operators to immediately reinstate mandatory hand hygiene stations at all entry points and common areas, equipped with running water and soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

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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.

Furthermore, establishments are instructed to significantly increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfection routines, using hospital-grade disinfectants on high-touch surfaces. Management teams are also urged to train staff to recognize early symptoms of illness, conduct daily health checks for employees, and enforce a strict stay-at-home policy for anyone exhibiting signs of fever.

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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.