₦airaland Forum

Nigerian economy cannot continue to remain in total lock-down and therefore it is time to gradually reopen the economy for businesses and economy to thrive once again.

Nations of the world are planning and working out modalities on how to ease the lock-down restrictions and we must follow suit. Nigerian economy cannot afford to remain in total shutdown and its citizens suffering from hardship, hence there is a greater need to gradually reopen the economy and the time is now.

Individuals, businesses, markets, private and corporate organisation with government and non-governmental organisations should be allowed to open fully two (2) days in a week (Monday and Thursday) to run their normal day to day business activities, while still maintaining strict social distancing put in place by NCDC, frequent washing of hands, use of face mask and hand sanitizers.

The reason while we are still having increase in the number of infected cases is because of massive testing done by NCDC. I believe that so many Nigerians are asymptomatic (not showing symptoms) unless tested that’s why the number increased because of the massive testing been carried out.

I am of the humble opinion that if Nigerian economy is opened for businesses to thrive on these two days in a week. It will ease the tension and suffering of the poor masses during this pandemic and avoid the risk of Nigeria falling into recession, but for this to happen government, organisations and individuals has a greater role to play.

Government has tried in the areas of increasing testing capacity but there is more to be done, government should partner with at list seven (7) hospitals in each state of the federation for coronavirus testing. This will help increase testing capacity and identify suspected cases on time and isolate immediately. These hospitals in partnership with NCDC are not meant to treat coronavirus patients but will help citizens who have noticed symptoms of Coronavirus, rather than staying at home to call NCDC, will visit the hospital and get tested immediately. If positive, the hospital will call NCDC to come and pick up the patient and if Negative the patient is allowed to go home but advised to continue isolating himself and come back after fourteen (14) days for the test to be repeated.

This will help reduce the burden on NCDC carrying out test in the whole 36 states of the federation, number of infected cases, identify suspected cases on time, isolate and treatment commenced immediately further reducing the death rate.

Private and corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations with wealthy individuals should also play their part, supporting the government in setting up more coronavirus isolation centre’s and that more testing kits are provided to hospitals in each state of the federation who are in partnership with NCDC for more testing to be carried out. They should in partnership with the government ensure that all centre’s are properly equipped with the right personal protective equipment’s (PPE), Respirators, N95 face masks, Ambulances to easily pick up persons who has tested positive for coronavirus in partner hospitals and that funds with other essential items are being provided as at when due.

Nigerian citizens have a greater role to play in this to work for the lock-down to be eased. They should at all times maintain and follow NCDC guidelines on maintaining physical social distancing, coughing and sneezing into their elbow and immediately they notice the symptoms of the virus, the person should first isolate his/herself and rush down to the accredited partnership hospital with NCDC for testing to be carried out.

On Monday and Thursdays when all businesses, shops and individuals are allowed to go about their normal business activities to make ends meet and be able to continually meet up with their daily responsibilities of providing for their families and also contributing their own quota to the improvement of the Nigerian economy, they should go about it with caution.

Cars/vehicles are to carry two (2) passengers in each role to maintain social distancing, use hand sanitizers to clean their hands after a business transaction is completed and wearing of face mask during communication with clients, customers or business associates to reduce the amount of droplets coming out from their mouth and reduce the risk of infecting others and at the end of the business day, take proper bath, washing of cloth and disinfect their surfaces and environments.

I believe with this, we can properly monitor the trend and spread of the virus, maintain adequate control measure over the spread of the virus and boost the Nigerian economy once again. We cannot afford to remain in total shutdown, folding our hands and watch the masses suffer from hunger and starvation with increase in social vices, crime and armed robbery. A large percentage of Nigerians depends on their daily income; we cannot continue to remain shut.

Schools, churches, mosques with large gatherings are still advised to remain closed, until we can monitor the trend of the disease effectively without much risk to the entire populace. They are to still maintain their various online platforms and e-learning, educate their wards on good and proper hygiene to reduce the risk of contracting this disease.

All inter-state travels should continue to be banned apart from movement of essential goods and services which are allowed. All Air travel should be banned apart from those carrying essentials cargo delivery or their citizens out of the country.

If we can monitor the trend of this virus to effectively reduce its spread and take decisive actions to work on flattening the curve (reducing the number of infected cases and deaths) very soon schools, churches and mosque will be allowed to open with regulations/guidelines put in place to ensure and guide the populace on better ways to remain safe and not to contract this deadly virus.

God Bless Nigeria.

Nnam Emmanuel Ifeanyi

Here in anambra,we have relax our lockdown,we are moving in with our normal lives from Monday on.

We must learn to live with this virus simple

Yes we must learn on how to live with the virus and also prevent further spreading of the virus to avoid the total lock-down we are in currently

inedujac:
We must learn to live with this virus simple

Why ban interstate movement? Was it not banned for 1month now yet it's spreading to other states already abeg allow people go out but it should be within a time frame.

Interstate ban is to help curb the spread of the virus so that it can be easily monitored.

ejibaba:
Why ban interstate movement? Was it not banned for 1month now yet it's spreading to other states already abeg allow people go out but it should be within a time frame.

MOD30:
Interstate ban is to help curb the spread of the virus so that it can be easily monitored.

It has already spread so why ban?? Abeg let's approach this pandemic from a different perspective... lockdown ain't working at all... it's increasing despite closure of borders...

Ban is to help curb the spread and inter state travels do happen at night, more effort should be made to reduce it to only essential goods and services and more free movement of persons within the state.

ejibaba:
It has already spread so why ban?? Abeg let's approach this pandemic from a different perspective... lockdown ain't working at all... it's increasing despite closure of borders...