President Muhammadu Buhari has signed a bill to check the spread of COVID-19.
Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday while handing over five ambulances donated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to the Ministry of Health.
Mustapha said the bill, titled “COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021”, was an exercise of the powers as conferred on the president by Section 4 of the Quarantine Act.
He said: “The law provides for wearing of face masks, hands washing and the use of hand sanitizers, among other regulations.
“It stipulates a penalty of a fine or a prison of six months for offenders.
“The president said the law takes immediate effect,” Mustapha said.
“The regulations enforce physical distancing of at least two metres and a regulation of the number of people to be admitted in an enclosed environment
“The first part of the new regulations imposes restrictions on gatherings and enforces a physical distancing of not less than two meters between persons at all times.
“The part 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.
“All persons in public gatherings, whether in enclosed or open spaces, shall adhere to the provisions of part two of these regulations.
“The second part of the law addresses operations of public places like open markets, malls, supermarkets, shops, restaurants, hotels, event centres, gardens, leisure parks, recreation centres, motor parks and fitness centres.” NAN
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