Sanwo-Olu instructs banks to partially close for a week

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has instructed banks to observe a partial closure on their activities for at least a week to curb the transmission of coronavirus.

During a briefing on Tuesday, the governor also ordered markets and stores trading in non-essential commodities to close, effective Thursday, March 26.

Lagos State has the highest number of confirmed cases of the virus in Nigeria with 30 cases out of the 46 recorded so far.

All remaining cases were recorded in the FCT (8), Ogun (3), Ekiti (1), Oyo (1), Edo (1), Bauchi (1), and Osun (1)

Sanwo-Olu advised the organised private sector to take drastic steps as done by the government in the public sector and allow non-essential workers to work from home.

The governor also asked banks and other financial institutions to prioritise online channels for their services to the public, adding that only essential and key senior staff should be allowed to work in the office during the restriction period.

He, however, noted that the directive should not be seen as a lockdown on business activities in the State, adding that the guidelines would be reviewed after seven days.

He said, “It is only when you are alive that you can talk about economics and finance. We want to encourage the organised private sector to allow their workers to work from home.

“Banks and other financial institutions are encouraged to prioritise online channels for their services to the public with only essential key staff being in the office during this time. Only key staff should be present.

“We are a subset of a sovereign. We are not a sovereign. This is why we cannot completely lock down Lagos. We need to be considerate.”

Other public places shut by the government include markets, parks, playgrounds, and recreational centres within the state, regardless of ownership.

The directives, the Governor said, did not affect pharmacy shops and all markets where foodstuffs are traded.

“Eateries and restaurants must not accept eat-in customers; they are to serve food in takeaway packages.

“As much as possible, let us all refrain from inter-state travelling of any kind until the worst of the crisis is behind us,” he said.

Punch