On Tuesday, January 26, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection Regulation 2021, pursuant to the Quarantine Act 1926. The Regulation was indicated to take effect immediately. It requires all persons to wear face masks and observe physical distancing in public places. Gathering in enclosed places is limited to 50 persons, except for religious gatherings, which shall not exceed 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue. In addition, sharing of items by worshippers is prohibited. Furthermore, the Regulation places responsibility for compliance with its provisions on persons in charge of the places of worship, work places, schools, correctional centres and other facilities, including transport operators. Among other things, the Regulation states that a person confirmed positive for COVID-19 by a laboratory accredited by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) may not refuse isolation and/or admission to a designated health establishment. Contravening the provisions of the Regulation shall attract a fine, an imprisonment term of six months or both.
President Buhari directed law enforcement agencies and relevant Local Government, State and Federal government agencies to enforce the provisions of the Regulation, failure of which may attract disciplinary action on erring officers.
President Buhari has however been criticised for appearing in public without a facemask as he arrived his hometown, Daura to take part in his party’s registration drive on January 29; thus violating a provision of the Regulation. The irony of the situation was further amplified by a statement released by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu shortly afterwards, on January 31, in which he expressed the Presidency’s concern over reports of non-compliance with the provisions of the new Regulation.