Coronavirus Pandemic and Social Distancing Strategy for Prevention in the Midst of Tenement Building Residents of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

— The transmission of Corona Virus disease is said to be mainly from symptomatic people to others by close contact through respiratory droplets, direct contact with infected persons or by contact with contaminated surfaces/objects (7). In view of the situation and for the fact that there is a lockdown, where everybody is at home, the tenement buildings, otherwise known as “Face me I face you” with its congestion and poor environmental condition, presents a breeding ground for corona virus to thrive, in the event of any outbreak. The reason is not farfetched as the social life of the residents permits them to mix up at all times. The air spaces and standard of the building does not make for social distancing. Unfortunately to these residents, in the absence of a known cure for the disease at the moment, social distancing of 2 metres between individuals is one of the strategies recommended by WHO to prevent the spread of the virus. Out of 150 respondents in the study area through contact persons and questionnaires, many live in these places for various reasons, ranging from affordable rent through inability to secure a good accommodation outside this informal settlement to the type of businesses some of the residents are engaged in which they do not want in the eyes of the public and the law. The environmental quality of the neighborhoods is laced with congestion, poor housing, lack of facilities and poor sanitary condition. To avoid the spread of COVID 19 pandemic, the researchers recommends demolition and proper reconstruction of the buildings, counseling of the residents to know the health implication of such residences to COVID 19 Pandemic and any other epidemic, affordable public housing supply to meet the accommodation needs of the citizens (both students and civil servants), good quality materials for construction and aesthetically pleasing environment.