Life during Coronavirus Lockdown in Monrovia, Liberia

Since President George Weah extended the measures put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, new directives have been announced. The president said that the easing of public health emergency measures became necessary considering the new global reality and the advice of local health authorities.

Under the updated guidelines, restaurants, stores selling dry goods, building materials, and electronic appliances, will be allowed to open provided they take in only twenty-five percent of their full occupancy at a time while observing social distancing.

The president has also instructed the security forces to enforce the mandatory wearing of masks in all public spaces and ensure full compliance. The government will take the appropriate legal action in cases of violation of any of these measures.

President Weah has revealed that the new measures will be assessed again in the near future in order to determine their effectiveness and the need for further easing so that possible economic shocks from the global pandemic can be mitigated.

Well, given that movement is restricted everyone with a mobile phone has resorted to doing nearly everything via the use of social media platforms.

These days even church services are held online. Musicians and artists are using the Internet even more than before to reach out to their fans. Online concerts have become a thing. Basically, most things are done online right now.

However, it's frustrating to know that the simplest things have become difficult. For example, going to a barbershop is a challenge, which has resulted in the high increase of young men growing the hair and beards.

Another downside to life during the lockdown is slow internet speed and the recent spike in mobile data charges. 

There has also been a high increase in power outages in large parts of the country. It's bad enough that people are being kept indoors. Imagine being stuck at home on hot days and nights without power. That's just insane! The government has to do something. If you intend to keep your citizens indoors then you should be able to provide them with stable electricity.

With regard to the Mobile Money companies charging more than what they used too for data plans, I did say almost everything was done online these days right?

The mobile companies have noticed, so they are using that to their advantage to milk money off their subscribers.  Let's hope we get past this soon.

9River Media Correspondent in Monrovia, Liberia.

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