By Lukman Olabiyi 
 
 
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared that one of criteria to attend social gathering in the state, is presentation of COVID-19 vaccination card or digital bar code page showing at least first dose. 
 
The governor made this known in a statement issued to give update on the pandemic in the state, and on  various measure being put in place to the spread of it. 
 
Sanwo-Olu said based on government analysis, the fourth wave was brought by the non-adherence to the laid down protocols to mitigate the pandemic, pleaded with everyone to get vaccinated and join hands with the the state government in managing this wave of the pandemic in this festive season by following the guidelines.
According to the governor, as at December 5,  2021, Lagos State had recorded a total of 78,564 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of this number, 71,977 have recovered in community and 612 are being managed actively in community. Over the course of managing the COVID-19 pandemic, about 6,066 patients have been admitted into our various COVID-19 care centres in Lagos: with 686 registered fatalities. 
 
He held that based on the review of the current guidelines on travel protocols, the Presidential Steering Committee has released new rules which must be followed by all passengers arriving in Nigeria. 
The new guidelines stipulated that a COVID-19 PCR test must be done by travelers within 48hrs before departure; Post-arrival Day 2 COVID-19 PCR test. 
And all partially and unvaccinated individuals to self-isolate for seven days following arrival into the country and a day seven  release PCR test.
Besides,  all outbound passengers to demonstrate evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19. Negative PCR test result within 48hrs from the time to boarding a flight out of Nigeria.
On guidelines for social events and gatherings during the festive period, the state government stipulated that, “All Social Events must be duly registered to obtain Event Safety Clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission website: www.lasgsafetyreg.com prior to holding; and the guidelines set out below must be strictly adhered to;
Where possible events should be held outdoors, occupancy limit at any event must not exceed 60% of maximum design capacity of the event centre.
“Every attendee of a social gathering must present their vaccination cards or digital bar code page showing at least first dose but preferably double dose full vaccination.
” In unvaccinated people, a negative PCR within 72 hours will be an exemption. Everybody, irrespective of vaccination status, must be subject to Rapid Diagnostic test (Antigen) to be conducted at the event venue or within 24hrs prior to the event at designated laboratories. (Request for rapid tests at the venue requires an application through the Safety Commission).”,.