By Haruna Gimba
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has signed COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021, as part of efforts to boost the Coronavirus response in the country.
Even though most of the provisions are already in place, the legal instrument provided a basis for the prosecution of defaulters.
As provided in the Quarantine act, Section 34 of the new law states that any offence under the regulations is punishable by a fine or a term of six months imprisonment or both.
President Buhari said the regulations, which would take immediate effect, were given urgent consideration to safeguard the health and ensure the well-being of Nigerians, especially in the face of rising COVID-19 cases in the country.
The guidelines state that any person that contravened provisions of the regulations commits, “upon conviction, risked a fine or a term of six months imprisonment or both in accordance with Section 5 of the Quarantine Act.”
He directed the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other relevant local, state and federal governments’ agencies to enforce the regulations.
The president warned that any officer that failed, neglected, or refused to enforce the provisions of the regulations would be subjected to disciplinary actions.
“Any person who, without reasonable cause, contravenes a direction given under Parts 1 and 2 of these regulations commits an offence. Any person who, without reasonable cause, obstructs an authorised official from enforcement of these regulations commits an offence,” the document stated.
According the regulations, persons confirmed positive for COVID-19 by an NCDC accredited laboratory, may not refuse isolation and or admission to a designated health establishment for management of the disease.
The regulations also state that physical distance of no less two metres shall be maintained at all gatherings between persons and 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.
It also stipulates that all persons in public gatherings, whether in enclosed or open spaces, shall adhere to the provisions of the regulations, which 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).
What does the Health Protection Regulations 2021 cover?
The law provides for the maintenance of physical distance in gatherings, while all persons in such public places must, among other things, wear face masks, wash their hands and have their temperature checked before entering such venues.
It also restricts gathering of more than 50 persons in an enclosed space “except for religious purposes, in which case the gathering shall not exceed 50% capacity of the space.”
It further mandates institutions such as schools, banks and worship centres to enforce existing guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
In addition to tagging the disobedience of any of the protocol as an offence, the law also states that anyone who obstructs an authorised official from enforcement of the regulations commits same.
