COVID-19: UNILAG shuts hostels indefinitely, holds lectures online

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has shut its hostels indefinitely and directed all students to vacate the various halls of residence with immediate effect.

The university’s Head of Corporate Communication Unit, Mrs. Nonye Oguama, in a statement yesterday, said the measure was to check the spread of the COVID-19 on campus after some students had tested positive.

Oguama said the patients had been sent to the appropriate designated facilities in the state, while those who had contact with them had been traced and directed to isolate themselves.

The Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Ademola Adeleke in a notice to the students said no access would be granted to any student after 12 noon on July 15, 2021, as the hostels would be locked indefinitely.

He advised the students to move all their personal belongings from the hostels, noting that lectures for the rest of the semester will be delivered virtually from July 26, 2021.

The institution’s medical centre had earlier informed the university community that the institution was witnessing an increase in the number of patients with flu-like symptoms, which are similar to COVID-19.

Also, the management of the Lagos State University (LASU) has also mandated all members of the university community to adhere to preventive protocols against the virus.

It also urged students to make provisions for personal facemasks and hand sanitizers to further enhance the efforts of the university management.

Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, urged primary and secondary schools in the state to remain vigilant in the wake of a potential third wave of

COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

She charged heads and tutors in public and private schools to ensure the safety of pupils, students and staff.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had, on July 11, 2021, stated that since the beginning of July there has been a steep increase in the number of daily confirmed cases, with the test positivity rate going from 1.1 percent at the end of June 2021 to its current rate of 6.6percent as at July 8, 2021.