Who exactly are essential workers? These are people running an essential service; consider them doctors, nurses, policemen, the army, farmers, the media industry, light and gas industry and others.
Should they be exempted from curfew laws? Yes! This is why. Because their services are essential. The continuity of their services hinges on the survival of the community in and out of season. Also, these essential workers like health workers do lots of appreciable work which might also involve emergency services in this season which might eat into the curfew hours.
This must have been what the Inspector General of police considered when he rescinded the curfew ban against essential workers. However, the Nigerian Medical Association has instructed its members to stay at home from 6pm due to the heavy humiliation suffered by health workers on Tuesday evening. The association has vowed that this order would continue until there is a written statement from the government and police authorities stating the status of health workers amidst lockdown.
