Lagos restricts gatherings to 50 and shuts schools

The authorities in Nigeria’s commercial capital of Lagos have announced a ban on public gatherings of more than 50 people in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. 

Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu posted a statement to Twitter, saying: “We are limiting gatherings and events to no more than 50 people and appropriate social distancing must be observed”. 

The state government has also announced that schools will be closed from Monday. 

The move will cause major disruption to Africa’s biggest city, which has a population of 20 million. 

Many Lagos residents are deeply religious and regularly congregate in their tens of thousands at mosques and mega churches. 

Nigeria has now confirmed 12 cases of the coronavirus, with the first being an Italian man who flew into Lagos in February.

Photo: AFP