Violate Hospitality, Tourism Guidelines Pay N1m Fine-Lagos Govt Warns

Violate Hospitality, Tourism Guidelines Pay N1m Fine-Lagos Govt Warns

By DAPO FALADE

The Lagos State government has declared that the penalty for any infraction against the conditions for the reopening of the hospitality and tourism sector in the state will attract a fine of One Million Naira.

This was as the government said occupancy at any event in the state, for now, must not exceed 50 per cent maximum capacity of the hall, with a maximum duration of three hours for all social events.

The state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said this while spelling out the modalities, protocols and guidelines that must be put in place and implemented by hospitality and tourism establishments before the reopening of business activities in the state.

The commissioner, in a statement at the weekend, said the penalty for such an infraction would be paid by owners of event centre and party planners, adding that the protocols and guidelines were meant to ensure the health and safety of all guests and staff in all the facilities involved.

“The new rules affect all accommodation establishments such as hotels, motels, apartments, suites, inns, guest houses etc: tourism enterprises like event centres/entertainment places and food establishments like restaurants, eateries, fast food, lounge and bars and cinemas,” she said.

The commissioner explained that the ministry arrived at the set of protocols for the practitioners after due consultations with relevant stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism sector and in recognition of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.

She said owners of hospitality establishments were required to offer 50 per cent of their space capacity to guests for now, in order to maintain physical distancing, in addition to the separation of dining tables.

That, she said, was apart from the general safety protocols, including the compulsory use of face masks, regular hand washing, use of sanitisers, maintenance of social distancing, temperature check, encouragement of cashless transactions, disinfection of premises and buildings, among others.

“For now, there will be no buffet serving arrangement. All guests (over 18 years old) must be made to sign a COVID-19 form at the reception that has the name, address and phone number of guests for easy contact tracing purpose,” she said.

Mrs Akinbile-Yussuf said restaurants and eateries were mandated to indicate two-metre spacing on the floor to guide their customers in physical distancing, adding that fast good outlets and eateries were also to maintain take-away services for now.

On the modalities for tourism enterprises, such as event centres/entertainment places, she said they must hold a valid licence from the state Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture prior to holding an event, in addition to an Event Safety Clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission before such event is held.

“Occupancy at any event, for now, must not exceed 50 per cent maximum capacity of the hall, with a maximum duration of three hours for all social events.

“Event centres sitting arrangement must also comply with the two metres physical spacing. All tables must be set, at least, five meters apart in order to maintain a safe distance and free movements,” Akinbile-Yusuf stated.

She warned against violation of the stated conditions by event centre owners and party planners, stressing that the penalty for the infraction will attract a sum of N1 million.

The commissioner maintained that owners of cinemas were to follow all guidelines stipulated for the hospitality sector and event centres as they related to 50 per cent capacity, two metres spacing and the signing of COVID-19 forms by customers above 18 years.

She also stressed that the operation of all cinemas within the state must not exceed the hours stipulated by the government to ensure compliance with the 10 p.m to 4 a.m curfew directive.