The executive order signed by President Muhammadu Buhari has left civil servants in the country with no choice than to observe COVID-19 protocol fervently.
Buhari had in January signed the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021 policy based on his powers in Section 4 of the Quarantine Act, Cap Q2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010.
The signing of the executive order is 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.
Compulsory wearing of face masks was imposed, with large gatherings restricted.
Under the Act, offenders are to face conviction, fine or a term of six months imprisonment or both in accordance with Section 5 of the Quarantine Act.
In many states of the country, it was observed that while the COVID-19 protocols are not observed in some of public places, there is strict compliance in government offices.
In Abuja, while there is low compliance in most of the markets, government establishments are enforcing the COVID-19 protocol.
At the National Hospital Abuja, the level of compliance was high as both visitors and staff were seen on face masks and hand sanitizers at the point of entrance and inside the hospital.
A relative of a patient who is on admission in the hospital said she was not allowed into the hospital until she had to go and get a face mask.
Director of Pharmacy in the hospital, Pharm Kilani Jelili, confirmed to our correspondent that without a face mask, there is no entry.
On the level of compliance, he said it is 100 per cent.
In the Asokoro District Hospital, same measure is applied at the entrance but the compliance level is not optimal as many people were seen removing their face mask inside the hospital, showing that many of them only wear the mask while entering since they will not be allowed in without a face mask.
A doctor in the hospital told our correspondent that there is compliance but it is not 100 per cent.
Also in Niger state, the government made it compulsory for all civil servants to wear face masks before they are allowed to enter the state secretariat.
LEADERSHIP observed at the state secretariat yesterday that in line with the order, most of the civil servants and the visitors were wearing masks.
In most of the government establishments such as the state secretariat that houses most of the ministries in Kaduna, no visitor is allowed into the secretariat unless he or she has their temperature checked and hands sanitized.
Although there used to be mobile courts that handle cases of noncompliance with the guidelines, they are no longer seen on the roads.
Jide Bodunde who said wearing of face mask is for the good of all, lamented that many do not wear face masks, and that in most cases when they wear, they wore them wrongly or only on the jaw.
Also, Hajiya Salamatu Tijanni said even most government people don't obey the guidelines when they carry out most of their political functions.
In Jalingo, the capital of Taraba, it was observed that normal day-to-day activities are going on, even though Police and traffic officers threaten to arrest drivers and Keke operators for not wearing masks.