The Lagos State Ministry of Health and the management of Sheraton Hotels have rebutted a viral message making the rounds especially on WhatsApp, which suggests that the Lagos Sheraton Hotel was now an isolation centre for ‘well-heeled’ individuals who have contracted the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.
Earlier on Monday, 21st December 2020, an anonymous message had gone around which read:
“Please warn all friends and family. 2nd wave is very much here. First cardiologists is full now. Sheraton Ikeja is now being used as isolation Center by the well-heeled. The Israeli who gave the information said Sheraton is full of a lot of expatriates. One floor there is currently full.”
The office of the Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, when contacted, immediately said that while there was indeed a second wave of COVID-19 infections in Lagos State, the bulk of the information contained in the message was “not true”.
Lagosians are advised to observe the public health protocols of wearing a mask, practising social distancing, and avoiding crowded places.
If anyone feels symptoms of COVID-19 such as flu-like symptoms, loss of taste or smell, cough, and chest discomfort, they should report immediately to the appropriate authorities for immediate intervention.
In refuting that Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, was an isolation centre, the management of Sheraton Hotels through the Director of Communications, Nanji Tyem, the hotel said, “The safety and well-being of our guests and employees is of paramount importance to us.”
According to a statement issued by the hotel’s management on Monday, “We have a single guest who is currently self-isolating in the hotel, well away from others, and using our no-contact protocols. We have notified the local authorities and are following their guidance.”
The statement continued, “We have stringent cleaning protocols throughout the hotel and continue to follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization and local health authorities.”
“The hotel remains operational and is welcoming guests.” The statement concluded.
The Sheraton Hotels which is under the management of the Marriott Bonvoy network, in its general COVID-19 statement says, “We are committed to providing you with a safe environment that aligns with expert protocols for working to defeat COVID-19. Consisting of in-house and outside experts in food and water safety, hygiene and infection prevention, and hotel operations, our Marriott Cleanliness Council is redefining our cleaning and safety standards. We will actively monitor and evolve our solutions to ensure a continued focus on the health and safety of our guests and associates.”
The Lagos State COVID-19 coronavirus hotline is TOLL-FREE 08000CORONA (08000267662).
