–Says offenders may be jailed for six months
President Muhammadu Buhari has signed a law titled : “COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021”, in his administration’s determined bid to check the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amongst other things, the law says failure to wear face masks in public may attract a six-month prison term .
“In the exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Section 4 of the Quarantine Act, Cap. Q2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010 and all other powers enabling me in that behalf; and in consideration of the urgent need to protect the health and wellbeing of Nigerians in the face of the widespread and rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria, I, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, hereby make the (following) Regulations’’, the President declared.
The law, which takes immediate effect, stipulates that the provisions of the regulations may be varied by Guidelines and Protocols as may be issued, from time to time, by the PTF on COVID-19 on the recommendation of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The first part of the new regulations imposes restrictions of gatherings and enforces a physical distancing of not less than two metres between persons at all times. It also provides that no gathering of more than 50 persons shall hold in an enclosed space, except for religious purposes, in which case the gathering shall not exceed 50 per cent capacity of the space.
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, who threw more light on the law, added that another aspect of the law provides for the wearing of face masks, hands washing, and the use of hand sanitisers, amongst other regulations.
Speaking on the donation, the PTF chairman said that the NNPC donated the ambulances to the PTF as part of its support to government-led efforts in curbing the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Meanwhile, Mustapha said that If Nigerians were exposed to COVID-19, they should please quarantine and if they were still ill, they should isolate.
“Please don’t go out – to work, socialize or elsewhere – if you’ve been exposed or have symptoms.
“Travel is risky – best to avoid it if you can but if you must, take precautions including quarantine and testing’’.
“Remember COVID-19 can spread from people that look and feel well. Don’t let your guard down around friends or relatives just because they look healthy – they may not know they are infected but can unintentionally spread COVID-19,” he advised.