Amid rising cases of coronavirus in Nigeria, Anap Foundation has advised the Federal Government against shutting down of businesses across the country, suggesting rather that Nigerians should self-regulate and celebrate the yuletide season responsibly by observing the Covid-19 safety measures.
The Foundation commended the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for its diligent effort in tracking Covid-19 cases across the country while urging the government and stakeholders to adopt innovative measures to address the second wave of the pandemic in the country.
Established on March 22, 2020, to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Anap Foundation Covid-19 Think Tank has 18 members drawn from across the six geopolitical zones and the diaspora (Germany & USA).
In a statement signed by Atedo Peterside and Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, Anap Foundation noted that it was alarmed at the rate of increase and pattern of cases now spreading rapidly across Nigeria with a new high of 1,145 cases confirmed on December 17, 2020.
The Foundation, in the statement released on Saturday, said Nigeria’s response must take into consideration its current realities – the recession, high unemployment, and rising insecurity – stressing that the country could not shut down small businesses.
It urged Nigeria to copy examples from other countries, such as Ethiopia and Senegal, which are experimenting with variations of lockdown measures to balance lives and livelihoods as infection cases rise amid the yuletide season and festivities.
Anap Foundation said that Nigeria need not join other countries in banning flights to and from the United Kingdom and/or other hotpots due to the existing robust travel protocols requiring tests before boarding, seven days isolation on arrival, and a second test while seeking increased awareness campaigns about the pandemic across the country.
“The Anap Foundation COVID-19 Think Tank commends the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for its diligent tracking of COVID-19 cases and the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government to recognise that the second wave of the pandemic is upon us,” the Foundation said in the statement.
“The Think Tank is alarmed at the rate of increase and pattern of cases now spreading rapidly across Nigeria with a new high of 1,145 cases confirmed on 17 December 2020. At the height of the first wave, the highest ever incident in Nigeria was 790 cases on 01 July 2020. The data from the NCDC below shows the rapid pace of the second wave of infections compared to the first wave.
“We, therefore, call on all stakeholders, led by the Federal and State Governments, to come up with a smart crisis management plan to address this second wave,” it said.
Anap Foundation said Nigeria’s response must take into consideration the current recession, high unemployment, and rising insecurity.
“We cannot shut down small businesses. While countries across the world are experimenting with variations of lockdown measures to balance lives and livelihoods as infection cases rise amidst the yuletide season and festivities, we should look to countries with similar realities such as Ethiopia and Senegal,” it said.
It recommended as follows:
“One, businesses stay open across the country on the condition that all Nigerians self-regulate and ‘celebrate responsibly’ by wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distance from others, avoiding indoor crowds, and washing hands frequently.
“Two, the intensification of campaigns on public health policy behavioral change with the firm and humane oversight by applicable agencies and society leaders.
“Three those who can be encouraged to work from home.
“Finally, Nigeria need not join the reactive ban on flights to and from the United Kingdom and/or other hotspots due to our existing robust travel protocols requiring tests before boarding, 7 days isolation on arrival, and a second test. However, closer monitoring of the post-arrival COVID quarantine of travelers into Nigeria will help limit the risk of imported infections.”
The Foundation said it believes that effective implementation of the above measures along with adherence to recent awareness campaigns spearheaded by NCDC, PTF, Kaduna, and Lagos State Governments can help ease the hardship on citizens whilst curbing the spread of COVID-19.
