Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu on Monday ordered the full enforcement of the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations, an executive order signed last week by President Muhammadu Buhari, as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus.
With the order, failure to heed to the directive or listen to the officers enforcing it can lead to an arrest and prosecution in a court of law.
The police chief urged officers enforcing the regulations to show “tact, compassion and empathy” with the citizens while also “being firm and professional, polite, civil, and to respect the fundamental rights of the citizens.”
It would be recalled that Buhari had on Wednesday signed the new law which stipulates physical distancing of at least two meters and limits the number of people to be admitted in an enclosed environment.
The law also includes operational rules for public places like open markets, malls, supermarkets and restaurants.
People are not allowed to visit such places unless “he is wearing a face covering that covers the nose and mouth,” according to the law, which also encourages handwashing and the use of hand sanitizers.
