The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the closure of nightclubs, bars and other social gatherings to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

Governor Sanwo-Olu during a briefing on Friday called on Nigerians to act responsibly and abstain from every large gathering of any kind.

He said following the extensive consultations with various religious leaders,” we have directed immediately the suspension of gatherings of not more than 50 people.

“With due consultation, we announce the closure of all our public and primary schools in Lagos State with effect from Monday, March 23, 2020.

“All our tertiary institutions are herby also directed to shut down immediately”.

The governor advised Lagosians to avoid any form of gathering either academic, social, family, professional, political or religious gatherings.

“This means that gatherings around our event centres clubs both day clubs and night clubs, bars etc are also affected by this directive.

“We must learn from other examples in South Korea and Singapore, disease spread largely through the gatherings both at religious and other spheres”.

He explained it is not a religious disease but that the virus can spread through a large assembly of people or gatherings.

He noted that the lives of Lagosians are very important and to this effect, the Nigerian Police Force, has been directed to ensure compliance against any directive of a large number of people at any location in Lagos.