COVID-19: Anap Foundation urges FG to reopen economy fully

The Anap Foundation COVID-19 Think Tank has urged the federal government to fully reopen the economy in line with the recent trend of lowered reported cases of the COVID-19.

In a publication released on Wednesday, the think tank said the full reopening would also allow the economy to recover from the negative gross domestic product (GDP) figures recorded in the second quarter.

Providing recommendations on how to avoid a second wave of the virus, Anap advised that community leaders should be engaged in the design and implementation of COVID-19 control measures to proffer context-specific responses to the call for social distancing in overcrowded cities and informal settlements.

“The presidential task force constituted by ministers and heads of government agencies are largely seen by the average Nigerian as an elite club speaking to their peers to protect the health interests of the elites only,” the publication read.

“Burial protocols released by the NCDC need to be enforced across the country. Currently, many states are ignoring these guidelines.

“All work that can be done from home should be. Preference for virtual meetings should be institutionalised. Larger gatherings should be held outdoors wherever possible. This should be the face of our new normal.

“Governments at all levels and the private proprietors must invest heavily in the planned reopening of schools across the country if we are to prevent an avoidable disaster.

“We accept that schools must now be reopened and so the debate must shift to ensuring minimum accompanying measures and installations to help achieve a safe reopening.”

The foundation warned that there is a risk of increased COVID-19 cases if prevention guidelines and safety protocols are not strictly adhered to upon resumption of international flights and the reopening of schools and colleges.

It also advised the government to plan and prepare for the identification, containment and management of clusters and outbreaks due to the absence of disciplined risk mitigation through adherence to personal hygiene, masking and social distancing.

Nigeria has recorded a total of 52,800 confirmed cases of the coronavirus as of August 25.

Of this figure, 39,964 infected persons have recovered while 1,007 persons have died.