Investigating the impacts of COVID-19 safety measures and related uncertainties among socially vulnerable groups in Lagos megacity

The emergence of the unique coronavirus disease (COVID-19), associated safety measures and impacts have been experienced differently across various sociodemographic and livelihood groups. As a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 restrictions, this study examined experiences and livelihood uncertainties from socially vulnerable groups. One hundred and fifty responses (150) were recorded from residents in Iwaya, and Makoko areas within Lagos Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos state. Complete lockdown or stay-at-home orders, compulsory face masks in public spaces, curfews, physical and social distancing and restriction of inter-state movements are some of the precautionary/safety measures introduced by the Government and enforced by security agents. The findings show that curfews and restriction of inter-state movements were two of the safety measures that had no or reduced impact (p-values > 0.01) on the respondents’ means of livelihood. Our results reveal that because a larger percentage of male participants are self-employed and owned personal businesses they were more affected by COVID-19 restrictions than females. 42.7% (64) of females and 57.3% (86) of males reported COVID-19-related anxieties and stress from fear of starvation, and contracting the virus, to impacts on money/finances, slow sales and businesses, food supply, job loss, erratic power supply affecting work from home options. 54.7% of respondents had more than 5 people living together, while 84.7% of housing types (128) are bungalows with several rooms inhabited by an average of three to four people per household. Increased stress, fear of hunger, loss of jobs and source of income were some of the negative impacts resulting from the introduction of the COVID-19 safety measures which adversely affected occupations like traders, people engaged in fishing activities, painters, carpenters, hairdressers and barbers, printers and bricklayers. Our work provides insights into the effects of the COVID-19-safety measures and subjective impact across vulnerable groups and occupations.