Covid-19 pandemic: implications of lockdown and eased lockdown on Nigerian households

Abstract

This paper analyses the implications of lockdown and eased lockdown on Nigerian households, using the Nigeria Covid-19 National Longitudinal Phone Survey (NLPS Baseline), which was released in June 2020 by the National Bureau of Statistics. Also, reviews of research articles, news updates and Covid-19 reports from NCDC website were used. Data were described using frequency counts, percentages and chart. Nigerian households (100%) were aware of the pandemic. To reduce the spread of coronavirus infection, Nigerian Government advised that citizens should stay at home. Majority of households (97.4%) engaged in hand washing and stayed at home (90.6%). The lockdown (mid-March to June) had implications on food availability (less than 50.0% of households had access to food items); 48.1% were able to buy cleaning supplies; 40.9% and 25.3% had access to medicine and medical treatment, respectively; and 48.6% had children who engaged in education activities. Number of confirmed cases increased from an average of 138 in March to 10,857 in August, and the differences in monthly averages increased from 1,699 in April to 7,293 in June, but a difference of -1,699 in July, and further sharp difference of -6,600 in August. There was an increase in the number of deaths from 2 in March to 520 in July, but decreased to 493 in August; the difference increased from 54 in March to 175 in April, but reduced to 164 and 125 in July and August, with a desirable difference of -27 in August. Average number of discharged cases increased from 9 in March to 29,122 in August, However, during the period of eased lockdown (July and August), businesses have started opening up in phases and there was gradual reopening of schools. Continuous awareness on observing safety protocols is necessary to finally flatten the curve of Covid-19 infection.