Niger is a West African country filled with more than 24 million people. At 6.9 million square kilometers, it is the largest country in the region. To this day, Niger has been able to stay unaffected by the Coronavirus pandemic, as the land that Covid-19 forgot. Here’s what makes Niger “the land that Covid-19 forgot”.

Low Population and Distance between Provinces

Niger is the third least populated country in the world, with 94 people per square kilometer, which means that the population density is very low. This population density is largely what has kept Covid-19 from spreading in Niger.

The distance between provinces in Niger is also large. The provinces sprawl across 822,916 square kilometers of land. Traveling between provinces is difficult because most of the vast nation is desert and salt pans, which limits contact with other people.

Strict Entry Regulations

Niger has also maintained its low Covid-19 cases due to strict entry regulations. At the beginning of the pandemic, the government closed its borders and refused to allow travelers from countries that had Covid-19 cases. All prospective entrants must provide documents that certify the negative test results, and those who do not are refused entry.

Religious Beliefs

Beyond its entry regulations, Niger has a religious factor that has kept the pandemic at bay. In Niger, most of the population practice Islam, and according to Islamic law the consumption of pork is forbidden. This is significant because many people believe that Covid-19 originated from consumption of pork products. As such, many Nigeriens merely followed their religious beliefs and abstained from eating pork, thinking it could be a source of the virus.

The Health System

Finally, Niger has also been able to protect itself from the spread of Covid-19 due to its health system. Niger has a functional health system, with well-developed public health and hospital services. The infant mortality rate is also low, and the number of hospitals, trained medical personnel and health workers is among the highest in the world.

Niger is the land that Covid-19 forgot. Its low population density, sparse distance between provinces, strict entry regulations, religious customs, and strong health systems have all contributed to its success in avoiding the pandemic. As of now, there are no reported cases of Covid-19 in Niger and it remains the land that Covid-19 forgot.