President buhari signs covid 19 regulations 2020
On March 30, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the COVID-19 Regulations 2020, which aimed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria. The regulations were published in the Federal Government's Official Gazette No. 54, Vol. 104.
The COVID-19 Regulations 2020 were made under the Quarantine Act, Cap. Q2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and the Public Health Act, Cap. P14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The regulations were designed to provide a framework for the prevention, containment, and management of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
Some of the key provisions of the COVID-19 Regulations 2020 include:
- Quarantine and Isolation: The regulations empowered the Federal Ministry of Health to quarantine or isolate any person who is suspected of having COVID-19 or who has been in contact with someone who has the disease.
- Travel Restrictions: The regulations prohibited the entry of any person into Nigeria who has been in a country with a high incidence of COVID-19 within the past 14 days, unless the person has been cleared by the Federal Ministry of Health.
- Closure of Public Places: The regulations empowered the Federal Ministry of Health to close any public place, including schools, places of worship, and entertainment centers, if it is deemed necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Social Distancing: The regulations required individuals to maintain a distance of at least one meter from each other in public places.
- Wearing of Face Masks: The regulations required individuals to wear face masks in public places.
- Prohibition of Large Gatherings: The regulations prohibited the holding of large gatherings, including weddings, parties, and other social events.
- Reporting of Suspected Cases: The regulations required individuals to report any suspected case of COVID-19 to the nearest hospital or health facility.
- Powers of Enforcement: The regulations gave the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities the power to enforce the regulations and take any necessary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 Regulations 2020 were in effect until May 4, 2020, when they were reviewed and replaced by the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021.