…As Public Health Officer Raises Concern Over Violation Of COVID-19 protocols
The much hyped general school resumption has finally come with increase in hustles and bustles by parents, pupils and students even as early morning traffic jams dotted the landscape of Port Harcourt city and its environs in a rush to do school runs.
And, while it is hoped that students, pupils and the general public will observe COVID-19 protocols with surge in social activities, many are yet to come to terms with the new normal.
Some parents and pupils were seen returning to school without their face masks on and even many adults who cobbled together in commercial buses almost lived in denial of the corona virus pandemic.
But, as early as 7:15am Monday, major bus stops across the city had already recorded high passenger presence. National Network survey observed that commercial bus operators particularly took advantage of resurrection of activities to increase transport fares to the chagrin and sometime resistance of few passengers. For instance, movement from the popular Agip bus stop to Mile one cost N100 as against N50 before general school resumption. Also, transport fares from Rumuigbo, Rumuokoro to Mile 2 and Mile 1 now attracts N150 because of early morning rush. But, it was noted that soon afterwards everything normalized again.
A particular scenario played out whereby a commercial bus had overheating, leading to complaints by passengers, but instead of the driver placating the passengers he decided in conjunction with his bus conductor to fill up the back seat from where the steaming heat had become tense. This in turn irked others in the bus who insisted that the driver should find solution or leave the back seat vacant if he must continue his movement. This happened in a bid to make brisk business.
Meanwhile, a concerned parent and public health officer had called on the Rivers State government to step up awareness campaign towards making pupils and students especially adhere to observing COVID-19 protocols. According to public health officer, Mrs. Dabota Similola, corona virus should not be seen as rumour . She also appealed to parents, wards, students and school authorities to ensure they help their children by being a role model in the fight against the spread of covid-19 pandemic.
National Network particularly observed that upon the new school resumption, some students still live in denial of the virus as they go to school without their face mask, while others simply wore theirs improperly.
