Beyond the medical implications of COVID-19, the novel
coronavirus which broke out in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, there are also
social and economic consequences. Several events and activities across sectors
have either been cancelled or postponed over fears of the disease.
There are over 220,000 confirmed cases worldwide with at
least 8,500 deaths across 176 countries.
From academic institutions to entertainment shows, the
disease is grounding events worldwide. Public gatherings have been banned in
many places while schools have been shut down.
Nigeria has recorded eight cases of COVID-19 so far. In a
bid to curb the further spread of the disease, the federal government placed a
travel ban on 13 countries, including China, the UK and the US.
It also banned public officials from foreign trips while
advising Nigerians to cancel all travels abroad, especially to high-risk
countries.
Here are some of the events suspended owing to the
coronavirus.
NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
Tagged Edo 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari, on
Tuesday, approved the postponement of
the national sports festival (NSF) as a precaution against the spread of
coronavirus in the country.
Sunday Dare, minister of youth and sports development, who
disclosed the president’s decision, said the event will be held at a “future
date”.
The sports festival was scheduled to take place from March
22 to April 1, 2020.
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) was also
suspended indefinitely owing to concerns over coronavirus.
The League Management Company (LMC), the organiser of the
NPFL, disclosed the development on Wednesday.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had also announced the
cessation of all forms of football activities in the country for the next four
weeks to prevent the spread of the virus.
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Lagos, Kwara and north-west states announced the closure of
schools effective March 23 to reduce the exposure of students and teachers to
the disease.
Six of the eight confirmed cases in Nigeria are in Lagos. No
case has been recorded in the north though some patients underwent test which
turned out negative.
NYSC ORIENTATION CAMP ACTIVITIES
The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on
Wednesday suspended the ongoing orientation exercise at all camps nationwide to
curb the spread of coronavirus.
It asked corps members to proceed to their places of primary
assignment without the regular camp protocol.
The orientation exercise is a mandatory three-week programme
that is undergone by corps members at the start of the scheme.
RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS
Lagos state government banned religious gatherings of over
50 people while Ogun state banned all gatherings higher than the same number.
Following the ban, the Redeemed Christian Church of God
(RCCG) directed all its parishes in Lagos and Ogun states not to have more than
50 persons in one service.
The Ansar ud deen Society of Nigeria on Thursday also
announced the suspension of “mosque activities particularly weekly Asalatu,
Jum’ah prayers and any gathering of up to fifty people”.
OPAN CONFERENCE
The Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN)
postponed its 4th Annual New Media Conference originally slated for April 21,
2020.
“The postponement became inevitable because of the
coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainties surrounding the nature of the spread
of the deadly virus in the country. Public health experts have urged social
distancing as an effective means of curtailing the spread,” Austyn Ogannah,
OPAN president, said in a statement on Wednesday.
Nigerian Muslims will not be able to participate in umrah
(lesser hajj) in Saudi Arabia since the country suspended the issuance of visa
to pilgrims wishing to perform the religious rite over fears of coronavirus.
The International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group had
announced that the spring meetings scheduled to take place in April will be
held virtually.
The meetings assemble delegates from at least 189 countries,
including Nigeria, was scheduled to take place in Washington.
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