President Muhammadu Buhari has signed a new law that prescribes 6 months imprisonment for violators.
The Bill, titled”Covid-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021, ” is in consideration of the urgent need to protect the health and well-being of Nigeriars in the face of the widespread and rising cases of covid-19 in Nigeria . It is in exercise of the powers as conferred on the president by Section 4 of the Quarantine Act.
The Chairman of the Petroleum Task Force( PTF) on Covid-19,Boss Mustapha, made this known on Wednesday, in Abuja, while handing over five ambulances donated by the Nigeriien National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the Federal Ministry of Health .
According to Mustapha, the first part of the regulation imposes physical distancing of not less than two metres between persons at all times and prohbits gathering of more than 50 persons in an enclosed space, except for religious purposes,in which case the gathering shall not exceed 50 percent capacity of the space
Part two of the regulations makes wearing of mask, washing of hands and use of sanitisers compulsory among other regulations in public places like open markets, malls, supermarkets,shops restaurants, hostels,event centres, gardens,leisure parks,recreation centres,motor parks and fitness centres
The law which stipulates a penalty of a fine or a prison term of six months for offenders is with. immediate effect.
