SAN FRANCISCO, September 07, (THEWILL) – As the severity of the consequences of the 2020 pandemic bites harder in Nigeria, there are signs that the community spread of the coronavirus is halting gradually, Jude Obafemi writes in this report.
The daily reports from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) bears evidence to this fact. Numbers from the epicentres of Lagos and Ogun States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have seen undulating declines in recent days. For a few days in the previous week, for instance, Plateau State upstaged Lagos to claim the top spot in the numbers of daily new infections. In general, the signs are positive that the spread is slowing down.
In tandem with this reality, the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions is taking place across the country. The COVID-19 Task Force, set up by the Federal Government to take responsibility for the government’s response to the virus, has been monitoring the preparedness of the airport and aviation systems in advance for the resumption of international flights and has given the green light for that to happen. It however barred eight airlines from entering the country (Air France, KLM, Royal Dutch, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, RwandAir, Air Namibia, Royal Air Maroc and TAAG Angola) for various reasons.
Plans for resumption of schools are still in the pipeline as the government has asked Federal and State school administrators to put preparations in place for this to happen. Curfews were also shifted back from the previous 10pm to 4pm to a new 12am to 4am. Parks, gyms, cinemas were to open at 50% capacity, religious gatherings with strict adherence to guidelines could operate, while weddings for a 50-person limit capacity were given the go-ahead. All these are signs of the easing of lockdown restrictions.
The case is not different in Lagos State as well, the leading COVID-19 infected-numbers State by a distance. Having strictly observed and enforced coronavirus policies state-wide and run a more aggressive contact-tracing and testing regime comparatively, the reduction in cases is more than a welcome relief for Lagos State government, COVID-19 Task Force and residents.
As part of the easing of restrictions, the State announced today that it was reopening two recreational parks to the public after several months of closure. In announcing the reopening, Mrs. Adetoun Popoola, the General Manager of Lagos Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), noted that the necessary arrangements have been put in place to maintain strict adherence to all safety protocols prescribed by the relevant State and Federal agencies.
The two parks now open for public use are the Ndubuisi Kanu Park in the Alausa metropolis and the Dr. Abayomi Finnih Park in the Oregun area of the State. They are both within the Ikeja Local Government Area. Mrs. Popoola stated that the person limits for the Alausa Park was 150 occupants while the limit for the Oregun Park was capped at a 100. Other limits imposed by the announcement was that it was not open for children below 5 years of age and for adults above 65 years. Further restrictions in the reopening were placed on play items and games that involved physical contact of persons in any way, manner or form. Such games and play items were to remain inoperable for the period.
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“The Agency will ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines and other safety precautions,” she stated, “We are all responsible for our individual personal hygiene. People should please stay home if they do not feel well or have any symptoms of COVID-19 infection.”
The LASPARK GM intimated the public that other recreational parks and public areas in other parts of the state under lock-and-key were being frequently assessed for reopening and assured that immediately there were further positive developments, she will let the public know.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
