On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute took the nation by storm as he made public some stringent measures taken by government, on the high instructions of the President of the republic, H.E. Paul Biya, to combat the deadly coronavirus, whose stay in Cameroon was becoming more vivid with expanding number of cases being recorded.
The measures, at least thirteen (13) were to take effect from Wednesday, March 18, 2020 across the entire nation, for an undisclosed period of time. They include among others: all land, air and sea borders closed, suspension of visa issuance to Cameroon, closure of all educational establishments, gathering of more than 50 persons prohibited, suspension of competitions like FENASCO games, restaurants and bars closed by 6pm daily, urban and inter-urban travels permitted only in terms of necessity, no overloading, implementation of WHO measures among others.
Of course, with many parts of the South West and North West regions experiencing constant blackout currently, many woke up to Wednesday, March 18 to their normal activities, without any iota of PM Dion Ngute’s announcement. However, as they day went by, information continued to circulate on the subject and some were quick to begin adhering.
Nonetheless, getting to a week since the measures were put in place, The SUN has observed that many are taking it for fun.
In Cameroon’s economic capital, Douala for instance, the majority of the population is going about their activities as usual: there is full circulation, over-crowding of more than 50 persons at the parks, markets, streets etc, overloading and hygiene and sanitation still very far.
A Douala city dweller who confided in The SUN said she felt really embarrassed while putting on a nose-mask and everyone around her kept asking if she had contracted the COVID 19?
“In fact, Cameroonians are very far from believing the reality of the coronavirus…it is terrible”, she said.
In Limbe, there is full circulation and overloading of vehicles has not witnessed any changes. However, schools are closed and some Churches have been implementing some of the measures, including not gathering more than 50 persons in a service, avoiding handshakes, embraces and “talking to their neighbours” during Church service.
While a few with nose masks were spotted around town last March 19 and 20 following the announcements, it is hard to spot anybody wearing the masks anymore, as though the pandemic was already over.
Issues of handshakes and embraces, a normal custom in the Cameroonian society is proving difficult to just do away with, and many already shake hands and embrace, before realising they had to restraint selves.
While some hold firmly that the disease is rather a myth than a reality, others are questioning why the country’s law makers are even the very ones violating the measures, including PM Dion Ngute himself, who attended the ongoing Parliamentary session, which is a gathering of more than 50 persons! Negligence is high from top to bottom, even as Health Minister, Manaouda Malachie continue to announce new cases every now and then.