Ignorance, hunger make people defy social distancing order

By Edith Igbokwe

Ignorance and hunger have been identified as the major factors working against compliance with social distancing order in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area.

Although many people initially complied with the wearing of face masks, the compliance level has greatly reduced as the lockdown ease entered another week as a great number of people started walking around in public places without using face masks while the social distancing is not observed especially in the markets.

While the lockdown was relaxed, the government has ordered that every person should wear face mask and keep at least two meters apart from each other as a measure to contain community spread of COVID-19.

This is one of the guidelines for the partial re-opening of markets and ease of movement as the government warned that violators of the directives would be sanctioned. However, the level of compliance as observed by ECHONEWS in some markets and public places across Oshodi-Isolo LG has reduced.

Speaking with ECHONEWS, some of the residents engaged said that the low level of compliance was due to hunger while others said it was caused by low level of understanding.

Chairman, Federation of Informal Workers Association (FIWON), Oshodi-Isolo branch, Eng. Joy Omiyale said: “People are complying with the rules but it can’t be 100 percent because it is not everybody that understands the importance. We should still continue with constant sensitisation to achieve the desired aim.”

One of the traders, Iyalbeji said: “The practice is not effective because people are hungry and they have to rush out to put food on the table for the families.”

A frozen food seller who gave her name as Kaosara stated: “Most people are absent minded towards the practice which makes it not to be effective while some people find it difficult to breathe under the mask just like me.”

A food vendor, Mrs. Anyawu disclosed that since the government has given the directives, she and her customers have been complying with the rules in her shop.