June 16, 2020
As part of the strategy to prevent community spread of coronavirus in Lagos, the State Government has insisted that ban on drive-in mode for an outdoor music concert and other entertainment shows was still in force and warned stakeholders in entertainment industry not to engage in it.
The State Government said the decision not to accept drive-in for outdoor shows and music concerts was that entertainment activities could only thrive in a safe environment and that where such safety cannot be guaranteed, there was no point organising any entertainment or musical concert.
In a statement on Tuesday, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat AkinbiIe-Yusuf, stressed that the government has not granted hosting of any entertainment show regardless of modification given to such shows or concerts in the state.
Akinbile-Yusuf said, “I am saying it emphatically that there is no “drive-in-concert” or any show in that respect allowed in Lagos for now, we have not granted any approval for such. We just want those in this sector to register their facilities with the State Safety Commission in preparation for the ease of the lockdown presently on their operations”.
Emphasizing that the state government will not apply emotions to issues bordering on the safety of the residents, Akinbile-Yusuf urged residents to disregard information making the rounds that shows and concerts would be approved by the government soon.
According to her, our position in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is ‘no safety, no activity’ and we hope that when the COVID-19 curve gets flattened, activities will resume to the sector”.
She called on the practitioners in the entertainment business to join hands with the State government as efforts are being reviewed daily to prioritise the protection of lives and property, and also ensure that business activities gradually kick-off.