By NOELA EBOB BISONG
“Bushfallers” in Cameroon are currently shouldering the weight of the spread of the COVID-19 in the country. They who used to be admired and celebrated upon their arrival into the country for the “goodies” they brought, are now being observed as the harbingers of the current coronavirus plague and Cameroonians at home are being called upon to “expose” them, for COVID-19 testing.
In a communiqué, April 3, 2020, South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai urges “patriotic” Cameroonians to expose such individuals residing in homes especially in the town of Buea by alerting competent authorities. The communiqué reads as follows:
“The Governor of the South West Region draws the attention of the population that, some individuals who recently arrived from abroad are living with their families and loved ones, without respecting the 14 quarantine days as prescribed by the Government in a bid to stop the spread of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.
“In compliance with the Minister of Public Health’s appeal to this group of persons to go for screening, the Governor of the South West Region while firmly denouncing this unpatriotic and unruly behaviour, calls on all patriotic citizens and persons of goodwill to alert the competent authorities for adequate measures to be taken against the authors of such acts, in order to prevent the propagation of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic in the Region.”
The Governor’s outing, it is believed, follows reports on the death of at least two persons in Buea as a result of the virus, one of which is said to have returned home from abroad. However, official records at press time was still to hold Buea accountable of any COVID-19 case, though some believe there are a number of existing COVID-19 cases unreported.
Also, the Governor, in a separate communiqué made public on April 4, 2020, informs the population of the region that as from Monday, April 6, 2020 till further notice, persons visiting public services in the South West must put on a protective mask before they can access services.
“This measure equally applies to the personnel of the concerned structures”, it further reads.