Title: “Libreville: A new measure to relieve traders and residents”
Introduction :
Since last Tuesday, the capital of Gabon, Libreville, and its suburbs have been relieved by a new measure put in place by the authorities. Systematic checks at checkpoints now begin at 10 p.m. instead of 6 p.m., thus offering greater flexibility to residents and traders. This decision was greeted with relief by the local population, who see this measure as a relief from the constraints of the curfew. In this article, we will explore the reactions of traders and residents to this change and analyze the impact of this measure on daily life in Libreville.
Relief for traders:
At Carrefour Kanté, nicknamed the “Crossroads of ambiance”, the sellers of skewers, kidneys and fish are finally breathing. They can now continue operations until later at night, allowing them to better meet customer demand, while avoiding harsh working conditions caused by high temperatures during the day. Adassa, a seller of skewers, expresses her relief: “Now, things suit us a little better compared to before. Coming during the day, with the heat, was really difficult. Now, we can work longer and satisfy our needs. clients.”
Retailers of snack bars and nightclubs also welcomed this measure with enthusiasm. Bruno Abessolo Ndong, president of the association of bar and snack bar owners in Gabon, said: “Snack bars and nightclubs suffered a lot from the previous measure. Now, even if it is not enough , being able to continue our activity later at night is a relief. This will allow us to cope with the financial difficulties we have encountered in recent months.”
A relief for residents:
The inhabitants of Libreville also view this new measure favorably. For many, being able to return home later in the evening means less stress and a better quality of life. Murphy, a resident of the capital, expressed his relief: “With the traffic jams and the rush to catch taxis before the 6 p.m. curfew, it was very stressful. Now, with this new measure, we have until 9 p.m. to return home, which will greatly de-stress our daily lives.”
A necessary evil :
Despite the widespread relief, it is important to remain vigilant and not relax the safety measures in place. For many, this curfew remains “a necessary evil” in order to contain the spread of the virus. The transition to limiting the curfew to 10 p.m. is a step in the right direction, but it is essential to continue to respect barrier gestures and social distancing rules to avoid any resurgence of the pandemic.
Conclusion :
The new measure of postponing systematic checks at checkpoints to 10 p.m. in Libreville has brought some relief to traders and residents. This allows businesses to stay open longer and better meet customer demand. Residents, for their part, benefit from greater flexibility in their travel, which improves their quality of life. However, it is important to remember that vigilance remains essential and that compliance with health measures remains essential to avoid any resurgence of the pandemic.