Lagos Orders Restaurants, Eateries to Check Temperature of Workers, Customers

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Operators of restaurants and eateries in Lagos have been directed by the state government to conduct temperature checks on all their employees and customers.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu, warned that any operator who fails to adhere to this directive will be sanctioned.

Mr Bonu, in a statement on Wednesday, stated that the temperature check remains one of the critical means of identifying sick and suspected cases of the COVID-19.

While rolling out the new guidelines for operations of restaurants and eateries in the state, he said workers are now required to wear face coverings and gloves at all times, adding that such coverings must be cleaned or replaced daily.

He further said business owners must “post a sign at their entrance stating that individuals who have fever, cough, or any sign of sickness should not enter.

“They should also post a description of their sanitation and social distancing measures, implement staggered shifts for all workers, and whenever possible, restaurant staff should not perform multiple roles.”

Mr Bonu also disclosed that staff of these facilities should limit the number of customers in their restaurants and eateries to those that can adequately stand six feet apart, insisting that the waiting area must be marked so that social distancing standards are observed.

Highlighting the sanitation procedures expected at these facilities, the Special Adviser called for adherence to all written safety, sanitisation and physical distancing protocols (specific to COVID-19) on the business premises as it affects their customers, workers and the operating environment, calling on employers to provide hand-washing equipment or sanitisers at customer entrances and in communal spaces.

He reiterated that the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the operation of eateries and restaurants between 9am and 7pm daily due to Ramadan subsists, stressing that their operations are restricted to take-away packs and orders only.

Mr Bonu asserted that the state government understands the challenges confronting the sector at this crucial period, but has decided to make restaurants and eateries operate under very strict conditions for safety, cleanliness and overall quality services to their customers, assuring that there will be close monitoring by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

He said that the Ministry has set up a Task Force to monitor, arrest and prosecute erring facilities for non-compliance, saying that comprehensive guidelines will be issued and made available to the operators.

The Governor’s aide said these new guidelines were put in place to provide basic summary of recommended practices that can be used to mitigate exposure to Coronavirus and return to full operations safely.

However, he maintained that hotels, bars and clubs remain shut until the state government decides otherwise.