Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has extended the stay home order for all civil servants from Grade Level 14 and below until January 18, 2021.

Recall that the governor who contracted the virus late last year announced a two-week stay home order for the civil servants in the aforementioned categories from December 21, 2020, amid reports of a possible second wave of the deadly virus which has infected over 89,000 persons in the country.

Having recovered from the virus about a week ago, Sanwo-Olu, in a statement signed by the Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, exempted essential duty staff and first responders from the stay home order.

“Sequel to Head of Service Circular Ref. No: CIR/HOS/20/Vol.1/139 of 18th December 2020 on stemming the tide of the second wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the State, it is hereby notified for general information that Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has further directed all State Public Servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to continue working from home till Monday, 18th January 2021. Expectedly, the directive excludes Essential Duty Staff, as well as First Responders.

“Furthermore, while wishing all staff a prosperous and fulfilling year, please be informed that the Y2021 First Work Day Prayer Session for all Public Servants in Lagos State shall be held in line with tradition on Monday 4th January 2020. However, in keeping with COVID-19 Protocols, the session shall be held via Zoom and live-streamed on Facebook from 7.45am prompt.

“In addition, all Public Servants are enjoined to stay safe and to keep adhering to all COVID-19 Protocols in order to rid the State of the pandemic in the shortest possible time.

“All Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are urged to note the contents of this circular for compliance and give it the deserved Service-wide publicity,” the statement and titled, ‘Re: stemming The Tide Of The Second Wave Of COVID-19 Pandemic’ read partly.

At the time of this report, Lagos State has the highest number of infection in Nigerian with over 31,000 cases of the deadly COVID-19.