(The Regulation)
In view of the highly
contagious nature of SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) and its imminent threat to the
residents of Lagos State; the Lagos State Governor issued the Infectious
Diseases Regulation 2020 (“the Regulation”) pursuant to the Governor’s power
under the Quarantine Act and the Lagos State Public Health Law Ch. P16 Laws of
Lagos State 2015. The Regulation was signed by the Governor on the 27th March
2020 and it became operative on the same day. It ratified all the acts
done prior to its issuance. Below are ten important points to note about the
Regulation:
1.
The Governor is authorised to impose
restrictions, issue directives and take all necessary action to prevent,
control or contain the incidence of COVID-19 within Lagos State.
2.
The Governor (or other authorised person) has
the power to direct that any potentially infectious person should go to a
designated place for screening and assessment, or to go into isolation for 14
days.
3.
If any person fails or refuses to go for
screening, assessment or isolation as directed, the Governor (or any authorised
person) has the power to order the removal of such a person to carry out the
screening and assessment or to be placed in isolation for 14 days.
4.
The Governor has the power to restrict the
movement of persons and vehicles within Lagos State. However, transportation of
essential supplies (i.e. food, water or medicine/medical supplies) are allowed.
Personnel involved in the transportation or movement of such supplies are
allowed free movement.
5.
The Governor has the power to restrict trade
and commercial activities, and to order the temporary closure of bars, event
centres, places of worship, public, educational and vocational institutions or
place restrictions on the number of persons that may be present there for as
long as he deems necessary. Manufacturers of essential supplies are exempt.
6.
The Governor can mandate security agencies to
break up any gatherings of persons that contravene the restrictions without
permit.
7.
It is an offence to hoard or inflate prices
of food, water, essential supplies etc. A breach will result in seizure and
forfeiture of the goods to the State, which the government may utilise in bridging
supply gaps within the State.
8.
The Governor can specify the conditions for
transporting, storing, cremating or otherwise disposing of the remains of
persons who died from the COVID-19 infection.
9.
Do not share false information regarding
COVID-19 or its outbreak in the State, or promote unverified, untested or
unapproved cures, vaccines or medicinal items that purport to cure, alleviate
or reduce the likelihood of a COVID-19 infection.
10. A
breach of the Regulation or any orders made further to it is an offence which
carries an option of imprisonment.
Source: www.spaajibade.com