The Lagos Civil Society Coalition Against COVID-19 in the month of August, embarked on advocacy to different local government areas across Lagos to sensitise residents on the importance of facemask usage as part of efforts to curb the community transmission of the COVID-19 in the State.

The advocacy was geared towards encouraging all residents of the State on the need to support the efforts of the State Govt to curb the spread of the global pandemic by using face masks. While many Lagosians are still disobeying the directive of the government on the use of face masks, especially in public, the Coalition called on all citizens to abide by the safety regulations issued by the State Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

It noted that sensitising the public and various institutions at large was imperative in helping Nigerians understand the need for good hygiene in curtailing the spread of the deadly virus, which has now been reported in at least 170 countries around the world.

The regular use of face masks, especially in public, combined with frequent hand washing, Social/physical distancing as well as embracing other personal hygiene safety tips are the most effective ways of containing the community spread of this ravaging pandemic.

The enlightenment campaign, which was carried out with the use of handbills, flyers and distribution of masks, focused on ensuring that the general public was adequately sensitised on the importance of face mask and how it can prevent the spread of the dangerous disease within the state.

Some of the locations covered during August’s advocacy campaign were; Mushin, Kosofe, Epe, Ibeju Lekki, Ifako Ijaiye, Agege, Oshodi/Isolo, Ojodu, Egbe-Idimu, Alimosho, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Apapa, Ikorodu, Agbado Ijaiye, Ojokoro, and many others. The various awareness team across the respective locations called on residents of the state to comply fully with the #MaskUpLagos policy of the Lagos State government for the safety of everyone.

Also in August, the Lagos Civil Society Coalition Against COVID-19 joined the first global movement of World Mask Week (WMW) to motivate all citizens to wear facemasks toward reducing the spread of COVID-19 infection.