Skip to main content

President Buhari Slams 6 Months Imprisonment on Violators of COVID-19 Protocols

 President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday signed a law to check the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and slammed six months imprisonment on violators of COVID-19 protocols.

The chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, disclosed this while handing over five ambulances donated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the Federal Ministry of Health on Wednesday in Abuja.



Mustapha said that the bill, titled “COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021”, is an exercise of the powers as conferred on the president by Section 4 of the Quarantine Act.

“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.

“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 first part of the new regulations imposes restrictions of 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 provisions of these 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 law reads.

“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.

“The law provides for wearing of face masks, hands washing, and the use of hand sanitisers, amongst other regulations.

“It stipulates a penalty of a fine or a prison of six months for offenders. The President said that the law takes immediate effect,” he explained.

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.

According to him, the ambulances donated will be used to support the country’s response to the pandemic and the Emergency Operations Centres to expand the current capacity for transportation of cases.

The SGF acknowledged the support of the NNPC in its fight against the virus, saying “We are grateful to the NNPC for the donation of ambulances to the PTF. We also thank all individuals and corporate organisations that have continued to donate to the government’s effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.” NAN.

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Governor Ortom Eulogizes Late Pa Jerome, Father of Ex-BERWASSA Boss

  ….As family announces burial arrangements   Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has extolled the Late Pa Jerome Abalike Ella, father of his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Water Resources, Engr. Ejembi Ella, and his indelible legacies.   This is coming as the family announces the burial arrangements for the deceased whose death occurred last month, December 27, 2022.   Ortom described  the deceased  as a renowned community leader who was humble, hardworking and dedicated his life to the service of God and humanity until his demise.   In a condolence letter on behalf of his family, the government and people of Benue State to the SSA, a copy of which Humanity Watch obtained, the governor stated that the transition of Pa Jerome at a time his wise counsel was most needed, has created a vacuum in the family that will be difficult to fill.   The governor however, urged the SSA on Water Resources who is also the immediate past General Manger of Benue Rural Water Supply and Sanitat

CITAD Faults FEC’s Approval of FCT Land SWAP Initiative, Call for Suspension

  The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has faulted the Federal Executive Council's approval of the Land Swap Initiative of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).   The  non- governmental organisation working to ensure good governance through the use of information and communication technologies for peaceful coexistence and sustainable development made its stance known on Thursday in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, a copy of which Humanity Watch obtained.   The FEC had at the end of its meeting on Wednesday announced that it was resuming the FCT   Land Swap Initiative that was earlier suspended by the government following allegations of corruption. According to the FEC, the objective of the initiative is to address infrastructure gaps in the FCT by providing land to investors who in return will finance infrastructure rollout. Worth about N1 trillion under the previous dispensation, the initiative was designed to remedy

PDP Set To Adopt New Name

The Peoples  Democratic Party (PDP)  National  Executive  Committee has set up a committee to consider the possibility of changing  the party’s name ahead of the 2019 general elections.  The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, made the fact known when he briefed  newsmen on the decision  of the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja on Monday.  Ologbondiyan  said the step was part of efforts to re-brand and reposition  the party ahead of 2019.   “The party has immediately  constituted a committee  on harmonisation. The responsibility of the Harmonisation Committee  is to commence  the process of the possibility  of change of name as part  of effort  to re-brand our party and to reposition it for 2019 general elections.  So we await the outcome of the Harmonisation Committee. ”  Ologbondiyan said the party  also approved  the expulsion  of Sen. Buruji Kashamu,  representing  represents Ogun East Senatorial District  in t