Nigerians continue to defy social distancing as lockdown eases

Nigerians have continued to defy the rules of social distancing laid by the government after a five-week lockdown.

In a trip taken by our correspondent from Igando to Iyana-Iba, Nigerians flouted the numerous advisories laid down by the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control altogether.

This is the second day after the Federal Government eased the lockdown. 

Starting from Igando, our correspondent met a huge wave of traffic which began to pick up at Akesan bus stop down to Igando Local Government, early in the morning.

Day 2 of the gradual ease of the lockdown in Ojo Lagos.#COVID19Nigeria #TestKitScam #PastorChris #AfricanGiant@NCDCgov @PTFCOVID19 @Fmohnigeria @DrEOEhanire @LSMOH pic.twitter.com/6abndqLdOL

— MyNigeria.com (@TheMyNigeria) May 5, 2020

Along the way to Iyana-Iba, a few motorists complied with the 60% carriage capacity. Most commercial motorists that complied with these instructions were the Tricycle riders popularly known as "Keke."

Most people chose to wear face masks at their discretion. Whilst a few wore different colouration of masks, others did not wear any protection for their face.

Our correspondent took a shot of a trader who took down her face mask to drink from a bottle, violating the NCDC  and WHO rules of touching ones face mask after it was put on.

For most people in Iyana-Iba, there was no principle of social distancing. Most NURTW members kept collecting bus dues without offering sanitizers. On the part of the buses, sanitizers were not provided at all for the numerous commuters.

Buses loaded to full capacity at Iyana-Iba and even blocked the road. The motorcyclists were clustered together in the early morning banter without face masks and a care in the world. Not much distancing was observed between sellers and buyers as businesses were transacted in the famous Iyana-Iba market. 

The final bus stop for our correspondent was the Lagos State University, LASU Ojo, to withdraw money from the banks.

At the entrance, only workers from level 15 upwards were permitted to enter the campus after strict screening was observed. The second consideration was for people who wanted to withdraw from the bank. They were let into the campus in batches and forced to queue and observe a few guidelines.

Nonetheless, a few Nigerians chose to line up clumsily and very close to one another. At the banking section which was the only fully functional place in the university, residents were generally scarce.

Today in pictures...#COVID19Nigeria #TestKitScam #PastorChris #AfricanGiant pic.twitter.com/eO5eEU7edZ

— MyNigeria.com (@TheMyNigeria) May 5, 2020

  The few of them encountered at UBA were not observing social distancing. They stood less than a metre from one another as they patiently waited to make use the ATM of which only one was working. The major reason for clustering at UBA instead of the other available ATMs like Access or Sterling was due to the bank charges for customers who have used other banks' ATM over three times. 

Sterling Bank's ATM was free but less social distancing was applied. At Union Bank, the security guards closed the gates and ordered everyone back as they explained that the ATM was not functioning.



Very close to the Ojo Local Government was FCMB Bank where all principles of social distancing were flouted. Our correspondent was almost detained for taking pictures.

The last stop was Access Bank along Okoko which had a long queue outside the bank with people managing to stay a metre from each other.