As part of its efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and curtail its spread, Lagos state government on Monday said it was ready to move ahead with its decision to make wearing of face mask an obligatory endeavour in the state.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made this known during a press briefing at the state house, Marina.

He said the decision which would take effect from next week was part of the measures to protect residents against COVID-19.

He said about a million locally-made face mask, that were contracted to tailors, would be shared during the week.

He implored residents not to scramble for the medical-grade face masks used by health workers, saying the locally-made ones will be enough and adequate.

He also said the state will prosecute patients who lie about their travel history to health workers.

“From next week, we are going to ask that face masks be compulsorily worn in public places. This is part of the deliberation we have had yo go through extensively today,” he said.

“We have commissioned more than one million face masks to be distributed in the state.”

On those who deceive health workers about their travel history or health condition, the governor said: “These patients do not only endanger their lives but the lives of our front line medical personnel, we already have some names and they will be prosecuted duly.

“We would therefore like to appeal to our health workers to raise alarm as soon as they notice anything of sort.”

With 379 cases, Lagos currently has the highest number of confirmed cases of the disease in Nigeria. Of that number, 98 patients have recovered while 14 deaths have been recorded.