Lagos produces 3m face masks for free distribution against coronavirus

The Lagos Government has begun the production of three million face masks for distribution to the vulnerable in the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State in a tweet on his official handle on Sunday revealed the provision the government is making towards the enforcement of compulsory wearing of face masks in the state.

Acknowledging that face mask protects people from droplets from coughing and sneezing, Gover Sanwo-Olu stated that it should be used even while complying with social distancing order, in addition to other safety guides to curb the spread of coronavirus in Lagos State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu tweeted “Dear Lagosians, even as we observe the lockdown, we are kicking off #MaskUpLagos; the COMPULSORY wearing of face masks in Lagos Face masks help to protect us from droplets and secretions from coughing, sneezing etc. as not everyone that is infected will show symptoms.”

He maintained: “Face masks, combined with frequent hand washing, being conscious about NOT touching our face, as well as #SocialDistancing, are effective in slowing the spread. The state government is currently producing about three million facemasks for distribution to the vulnerable.”

The governor further stated: “N95 & surgical masks help our medical workers stay safe while cloth masks made to specifications that will be released by @LSMOH combined with other guidelines will help protect our residents from #COVID19 The virus is in our communities, let’s take this seriously.”

As at 11:55 pm on April 25, Lagos State has the highest number of COVID-19 infections in the country – 689 –according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Of the said figure, 548 are active while 122 have been discharged with 19 deaths equally recorded.