The federal government of Nigeria has said Wearing of face mask is now mandatory for all Nigerians.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said this in Abuja at the 31st joint national briefing of the taskforce.
Mustapha explained that the use of a face mask is not an option but a directive backed by law and called on security agencies to enforce compliance.
He added that the use of face mask as one of the precautionary measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 was included in the law signed by President Muhammadu Buhari which must be enforced.
He also called on the 36 governors of the federation to ensure compliance within their jurisdictions.
The face mask is a barrier device used in infection control to prevent patients’ sneezes and sputum from making contact with others.
The SGF said, “There is a question that has to do with the usage of face masks, whether it is optional or not, no. The fact that we are persuasive does not mean that there is an option to it.
“It was part of the declaration that was signed by Mr. President. All the protocols that were predicted by the authority vested on Mr. President by the Quarantine Act. And once he attested his signature to that, it has the force of law.
“Our appeal is that this is a collective effort that each and every Nigerian should be responsible to himself and other Nigerians to wear a mask, not necessarily a medical mask. That is why we said mask or cloth covering so that our people would not be going to pick things from the dustbin and be hanging on their faces,” Mustapha said.
According to him, even a handkerchief could serve the purpose, saying “it is not in any way an optional but a must.”
He added, “And we are appealing to the security agencies and the state governments and sub-national entities that have the power of enforcement to do that. It is very important that we inculcate the culture of doing things to the overall benefits of all.”
Remember that on April 11, Mustapha said the PTF was developing a national policy on mandatory use of face masks by Nigerians.
“On the use of face masks, the PTF is developing a policy and as soon as it is finalised, Nigerians would be informed,” he had said.
Thank you for taking your time in reading through our Journal Today. We wish to always provide you with qualitative Stories as far as GOOD-JOURNALISM is CONCERN. But good journalism costs a lot of money and only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, accountability democracy and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism, we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble profession .
