LAGOS: Mass COVID-19 Infections Loom As Passengers, Bus Operators Disregard Directives

Operators of public transportation and passengers in Lagos State have failed to comply with the state’s social distancing directives, thereby raising fears of mass community infection of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.

Lagos is currently the epicentre of COVID-19 in Nigeria due its metropolitan nature. It also houses the busiest international airport in the country which explains why it recorded the country’s index case of the virus.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has expressed fear that the non-compliance with the guidelines on social distancing after the partial easing of lockdown may worsen the COVID-19 infections in the state.

LASTMA General Manager, Olajide Oduyoye, told reporters on Wednesday that only tricycle operators were heeding the government’s social distancing directive in public transport.

Oduyoye said bus operators and their passengers have however flagrantly disregarded the laid out protocols aimed at curbing the deadly virus.

“The awareness has increased but the non-compliance by privately owned public bus service operators is worrying.

“Okada operators are also being sneaky inspite of a total ban on their activities.We have confirmed reports of operations in areas like Egbeda, Apapa and Itire axis.

“So far, it is the Keke Marwa operators who appear to be supportive and carrying the maximum two passengers allowed. We pray they keep it up,” the LASTMA boss said.

Oduyoye said commuters seem either not to care for themselves or were unaware of the seriousness of the virus.

“It’s amazing that instead of fighting to maintain a distance from persons they know nothing about, they are ready to fight and argue that danfo should be allowed to carry three passengers per row.

“This is in addition to the already tight row arrangement existing in these buses, which makes one wonder how full-grown persons manage to fit their legs into these buses.

“The distance between passengers seated between one row and the front is less than 12 inches.

“If any of the seated passengers behind without face masks coughs, there’s no where to run. It is so worrying,” Oduyoye said.

Meanwhile, based on figures released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Tuesday night, the currently had recorded a total of 2,950 cases of the virus, with 481 recoveries. Lagos accounts for 1,226 of this number.

The country has so far recorded a total of 98 COVID-19related deaths.