Finally, FG makes face masks compulsory

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection 2021 which makes use of face masks in public places mandatory among other measures in the fight against further COVID-19 spreading in Nigeria.

  Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, stated this yesterday in Abuja during the daily briefing of the agency.

  According to Mustapha, President Buhari 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.

  A statement issued on the new policy directs that all persons in public gatherings, whether in enclosed or open spaces, shall adhere to the provisions of Part 2 of the Regulations.

  Places covered under the new guidelines include markets, malls, supermarkets, shops, restaurants, hotels, event centres, gardens, leisure parks, recreation centres, motor parks, fitness centres.

  According to the guidelines, 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 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “establishments”) except the individual is wearing a face covering that covers the nose and mouth; washes his/her hands or cleaned the hands using hand sanitiser approved by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and body temperature has been checked.