Buhari issues new Coronavirus Disease Health Protection Regulations 2021 executive order

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has issued a new executive order designed to combat the growing spread of the Covid-19 pandemic known as the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection Regulations 2021.

Signed into law yesterday, the new guidelines state that a physical distance of at least two metres shall be maintained at all times between persons at all gatherings. They also insist 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% capacity of the space.

These new measures also directed that all persons in public gatherings, whether in enclosed or open spaces, shall adhere to the provisions of Part Two of these regulations. However, the provisions of these regulations may be varied by guidelines and protocols as may be issued, from time to time, by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 on the recommendation of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

On operations of public places which include markets, malls, supermarkets, shops, restaurants, hotels, event centres, gardens, leisure parks, recreation centres, motor parks, fitness centres, etc, the directive indicates that no person shall be allowed within the premises without a facemask. Visitors must also washes his/her hands using hand sanitizers approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

Also, any person found to have a body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius shall be denied entry into any public place and advised to immediately seek medical attention. In a statement, President Buhari said he is fully exercising the powers conferred on him by Section Four of the Quarantine Act of the Federation of Nigeria 2010 to protect the health and the wellbeing of Nigerians in the face of the widespread and rising numbers of Covid-19 cases.