Buhari Okays COVID-19 Isolation Act
Orders enforcement as offenders risk jail term, fine
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – With worries over the second wave of COVID-19 deepening, President Muhammadu Buhari has accented to the Quarantine Act aimed at curbing Coronavirus spread in Nigeria with defaulters risking jail term or fines.
The law takes immediate effect according to Chairman of Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.
He said the Act received urgent presidential attention to safeguard the health and well-being of Nigerians, especially in the face of rising wave of COVID-19 cases in the country.
By these guidelines, any person that flouts provisions of the law, will upon conviction, risked a fine or a term of six months imprisonment or both in accordance with Section 5 of the Quarantine Act.
Speaking when he presented five ambulances donated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja, Mustapha said the Presidential accent to bill titled; “COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021”, is in exercise of the powers as conferred on him by Section 4 of the Quarantine Act.
The PTF Chairman said; “The regulations enforce physical distancing of at least two metres and regulation of the number of people to be admitted in an enclosed environment.”
He said the Act reads in part; “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).”
Similarly, “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 sanitizers, amongst other regulations. It stipulates a penalty of a fine or a prison of six months for offenders.”
The SGF, who praised NNPC’s support in fighting the raging virus, said; “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.”
Furthermore, Mustapha pleaded that Nigerians exposed to COVID-19 should please quarantine themselves and if still feeling ill, should necessarily isolate from families and the public.
“Please don’t go out – to work, socialize or elsewhere – if you’ve been exposed or have symptoms. Travel is risky, best to avoid it if you can but if you must, take precautions including quarantine and testing”, he counselled
The PTF boss also pleaded thus; “Remember COVID-19 can spread from people that look and feel well. Don’t let your guard down around friends or relatives just because they look healthy, they may not know they are infected but can unintentionally spread COVID-19.”
On the donation by NNPC, Mustapha described it as the oil giants’ demonstrable support to government-led efforts at containing COVID-19 second wave in the country.
He said the ambulances would be deployed in support of Nigeria’s response to the pandemic, especially at Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) to expand the current capacity for transportation of cases.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, thanked NNPC for the ambulances, noting that the current emergency medical situations require prompt response and any delay could have serious consequences.
Mamora said the ambulances would no doubt strengthen government efforts at responding to Nigerians’ health needs, as patients would easily receive first aid support en route to the nearest health facility.
Meanwhile, the President has also given marching orders to the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, and other relevant local government, state and Federal governments’ agencies to enforce the regulations.
However, by the regulations, any officer who fails; neglects; or refuses to enforce provisions of the regulations will be subjected to appropriate disciplinary actions. – Additional reports from NAN