By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Nigerians have been warned that the surge in number of people struggling to patronise banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) make them a source of community transmission of COVID-19.
Mr Taiwo Awonuga, President, Environmental Health Officers Association (EHOAN), Lagos State Chapter stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He charged banks to ensure their customers obeyed all safety guidelines.
“The rat-race going on in many ATMs outlets is not good for the fight against communal transmission of the pandemic.
“People line up in the sun amidst sweat and droppings from their bodies.
“It calls for a change in attitude from banks and customers too, if we must halt community spread of the coronavirus, especially in the suburb where ATMs are few but attract crowds.
“The confusion at ATM points are a common sight in the country because people need money to cater for daily needs. In that zeal to get cash, they lose their guard and get infected by vectors around them,’’ he said.
He said banks should be compelled to open up more cash dispensing outlets to reduce crowd at ATMs.
