To Curb Spread of COVID-19, Buhari Signs Regulation Mandating Use of Mask in Public

By Olawale Ajimotokan

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection 2021 which makes the use of face masks in public places mandatory as part of measures to curb the s spread of COVID-19.

Disclosing this on Wednesday in Abuja, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said the President signed the document on Tuesday.

Mustapha said the President signed the document in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 4 of the Quarantine Act, Cap. Q2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010.

According to him, Part 2 of the regulation stipulates that no person shall be allowed within the premises of a market, mall, supermarket, shop, restaurants, hotels, event centres, gardens, leisure parks, recreation centres, motor parks, fitness centre or any other similar establishment “except he is wearing a face covering that covers the nose and mouth, he washes his hands or cleaned the hands using hand sanitiser approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and his body temperature has been checked. Any person found to have a body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius shall be denied entry and advised to immediately seek medical attention.”

The regulation also said that all worshipers in mosques and churches must avoid sharing hymnals, praying mats and bottles.

Details later…