By Gabriel Atumeyi
Since the recent announcement of resumption of schools and relaxation of restrictions on religious and social activities by the Federal Government, given the seeming gradual decline of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, many people across the nation have struggled to keep up with the virus prevention protocols.
Part of the protocols according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), include social distancing, washing of hands with flowing water and soap, use of hand sanitizer and wearing of nose maskd among others. But have the people been adhering to these new protocols or have they returned to the pre COVID-19 ways of social interactions?
365Daily went round the Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to have an on-the-spot assessment of how the residents are coping with the protocols.
The Schools
Students of Government Secondary School, Kubwa
At the busy Berger Round About, in Utako area of Abuja, our reporter was held up in a traffic gridlock on Wednesday 28, October, 2020. And just beside the vehicle he was riding on, was a school bus, filled to capacity with students going home from school. No social distancing was observed. Many of the children had their nose masks on their jaws and were chattering away oblivious of the dangers of their actions to their wellbeing. That is why many have argued that without proper guidance, many children would find it difficult to follow the recommended guidelines.
At the Kingdom Heritage Model School (KHMS), a faith-based primarily school at Life Camp, Abuja, 365Daily findings show that the temperature of the pupils were checked at the gate of the school by security personnel and hand sanitizer applied on their hands before they are allowed to walk through the gate. There was provision for washing of hand at different points in the school. Many of the pupils seen were also wearing either their nose masks or transparent face shields.
One of the parents who brought their children to the school on Friday, October 30, 2020, said: “From my observation, the school management has been doing its best to ensure that the school is well prepared to receive the children, in line with the current COVID -19 prevention protocols. Their proactive actions in this regard, even before the recent school reopening announcement, is commendable.”
This parent, identified as Mr. Geoffrey Usoro, added that his only worry is how the minors, especially those in the nursery school and below would cope with the mask of shield for a long period of time.
His fears were seemingly confirmed by a teacher in a prestigious private school at Wuse 2, Abuja. Speaking on the challenges of having the children to wear a face mask for a long period, the female teacher who wouldn’t want to be identified told 365Daily that some of the children in the pre-primary classes sometimes chew on their nose masks or exchange their face shields with other children.
“I have personally stopped some of them from doing that, explaining to them that such habits are unhygienic and injurious to their health, but children are always what they are”, she said.
She said all sports activities and the usual morning assembly have been suspended in her school. She also said that some of the minors that wear shield have been observed to have irritations in their eyes that make them reddish.
Stargate Academy, Kubwa
365Daily also visited many other private and public schools in FCT, including Sanctus Lumen Christi Schools, at Durumi Phase 2, just by Area 3 junction, Garki, Stargate Academy at Phase Four, Kubwa in Bwari Area Council and the Kubwa Government Secondary School, popularly known as Black And White, also located in Bwari Area Council, Abuja. In all these places, the protocols of hand washing and face mask wearing were strictly adhered to, but not much would be said about social distancing especially as the students were seen mingling with one another in care-free manners.
Abuja Markets
At the popular Gudu Spare Parts market, 365Daily observed that it was a free entry and exit, with no form of temperature checks by security or any other personnel. No form of hygiene protocols were also adhered to.
Although there was a big black container of water and detergent stationed in front of the police post close to the gate, it appeared it was only there to fulfill the FCT guideline for markets, as nobody bothered to make use of them. Both customers and the traders were mostly without nose masks.
The same situation was observed at the Utako Modern Maket. Traders and customers enter and exit the market without adherence to the NCDC protocols. No social distancing, no nose mask or hand sanitizers. It was just business as usual. When 365Daily raised the issue with some of the traders, the common refrain was, “Corona still dey?”
Similarly, at the Kubwa General Market, in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, vendors, traders, buyers and customers could be seen in the market doing their businesses without any regard for COVID-19 prevention protocols.
A notice in front of Wuse Market on compulsory use of face masks
At the famous Wuse Market, 365Daily obseved that at the small entrance by the fence close to the bridge, where Eco Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank are located, there were two men who ensured that those trooping into the market through that corridor wore their nose masks. Those without face maske who could plead their case were let in through the narrow pathway into the market.
Denials by market management
Speaking on this development, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Abuja Market Management Limited, managers of Gudu, Garki and Wuse markets, Mr Innocent Amaechi, said the company is doing everything to ensure that markets under its fold abide with the protocol in spite of the challenges.
“I don’t want to agree with you that it is business as usual. A lot of things have changed between the time COVID-19 came into this country around March and now.
“I am just coming back from one of our facilities, the Garki Modern Market, to be precise, and I can still see people making brisk business from the sale of nose masks at the market and I could see security men using infrared thermometer to check body temperatures and even turn back people who are not wearing masks. I am telling you of something that I witnessed today. And I go to Wuse Market and it is the same thing. I have not been to Gudu market of recent but I am aware that we maintain common standards.
“Maybe when you went there, there was a lapse, I cannot say. Immediately you leave I will contact the managers to relay your observation to him.”, Amaechi said.
Plazas and Malls
The 365Daily observed that many of the popular malls in Abuja, like the Jabi Lake Mall, in Jabi, where one of the biggest Shoperite outlets in Abuja is located, Next Cash and Carry on Banex/Gwarimpa road, SilverBird Cinema, H-Medix outlets, in Abuja, adherence to the COVID-19 prevention protocols were impressive.
But the same thing would not be said of many plazas around Abuja where many business concerns are located. For instance, when our reporters visited Hebron Plaza, M. K. K Plaza and Anon Plaza at the Gudu/ APO axis, there was no slight indication of any preparation or measure put in place as recommended by the NCDC to help in the prevention of the virus.
Churches and Mosques
A visit to some mosques around the FCT revealed that some Muslim faithful appear to be struggling to adhere to the NCDC guidelines on social distancing and personal hygiene protocols. At the mosque inside the Sharia Court premises at Gudu District and the Kubwa Central Mosque, known as the Masalachi Badr, 365Daily observed that many of the faithful that gather there for Friday prayers, have returned to old ways. No nose mask. No social distancing.
But the situation at the Games Village mosque was remarkably different when our reporters visited. The prayer areas were clearly marked in conformity with the corona virus prevention social distance protocols. The hygiene observance too, was impressive. Perhaps the mosque is benefiting from the general attitude of the host community that have subjected itself to a very discipline regime of self accountability, in order to ensure that the whole community is safe.
A similar carefree attitude was exhibited when 365Daily visited Saint Luke Catholic Church Parish in Kubwa. During a 6 a.m mass at the church, it was observed that the enforcement of the COVID-19 protocol was obviously very poor, as wearing of nose masks and washing of hands appeared to be optional, even when there was provision for water and soap at the church premises.
One of the security personnel, who identified himself as Henry said individuals are “free to help themselves if they want with water and sanitizers placed by the gates.”
What appears to be a flicker of hope was however observed at a small parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), House of Destiny, Mabushi, when 365Daily visited. The church makes provision for disposable nose mask for every member that fails to come with one. The use of hand sanitizer is also strictly enforced at the entrance and the arrangement of the chairs inside the church ensures compliance with the social distancing guidelines. This consciousness in the church may not be unconnected to the fact that Mabushi village remains one of the hot spots for the prevalence of the spread of the virus in Abuja.