President Muhammadu Buhari has signed a bill titled “COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021” into law to check the spread of COVID-19.

The new law criminalises non-wearing of face mask, while emphasizing on safe hygiene practices like, hand washing, use of hand sanitizers and other regulations.

This was made known on Wednesday in Abuja by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha.

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 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.”

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