As part of its effort to curtail the spread of coronavirus, the Lagos state government has announced closure of schools over the pandemic

There are currently six confirmed cases of the disease in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

In a statement on Wednesday, Folashade Ade Fisayo, said the move became imperative in order to forestall spread of the virus.

She explained that the move was to prevent teachers and children from becoming susceptible to the virulent infection.

“As part of the preventive measures against the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Lagos State Government is closing down all public and private schools from Monday, 23rd March 2020,” the statement read.

“The move becomes necessary to prevent our children and their teachers from getting more vulnerable to the pandemic.

“It is important for parents to ensure that their children practise ‘social distancing’ while at home, wash their hands regularly or use hand sanitizers and observe high standards of personal hygiene”

She said the move was not in anyway aimed at creating apprehension among members of the public.

“The closure is not intended to create panic but to arrest the spread of the disease, which has become a global threat.

“The Incident Command Centre, headed by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the Incident Commander, will continue to trace all contacts of the identified cases and encourage anyone who has information about suspected cases to report to the nearest hospital or call the emergency telephone numbers 08023169485, 08033565529, 08052817243 and 08023401214.”

Sanwo-Olu’s government had earlier banned religious gatherings with over 50 worshippers.

The federal government also shut orientation camps of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) across the country to check the spread of the virus.