Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Nigerian Authorities Worry as Citizens Flout Coronavirus Rules

Timothy Obiezu

   ABUJA, NIGERIA - In Nigeria, authorities are worried thatcoronavirus
   infectionsmay spike again, as millions ignore safety measures such as
   wearing facemasks andsocial distancing. A jump in infections could
   force another lockdown, hurting theeconomy.

   Nigerian butcher Martin Olaiya, 45, stronglystrikesthe bladesof his
   cutting knivesagainsttheother in order to attract the attention of
   customers.

   Ithasbeen months since the coronavirus pandemic lockdown was lifted and
   this Utako market in Abuja is again operating at full capacity.

   But among many concernsofbusiness ownerslike Olaiya, the coronavirus
   pandemic is the leastof them.

   "Market is really bad," he tells VOA. "We don't know what the
   coronavirus is;we haven't seen it. There's nothing that concerns
   Nigeria with that.God will not allow it."

   Many traders like Olaiya continue to doubt the coronavirus ever
   existed, and thereforeare floutingsafety rules.

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