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Tag: Face masks

  • COVID-19: Buhari signs new regulations for churches, markets, use of face masks

    COVID-19: Buhari signs new regulations for churches, markets, use of face masks

    President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection 2021.

    The regulation makes the use of face masks in public places compulsory, as Nigeria battles with the second wave of COVID-19.

    This was confirmed by Boss Mustapha, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Federal Government, confirmed Buhari signed the document on Tuesday.

    According to him, the President signed the document in the exercise of the powers conferred by Section 4 of the Quarantine Act, Cap. Q2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010.

    Part 2 of the regulation stipulates that no one will be allowed within the premises of a market, mall, supermarket, shop, gardens, leisure parks, recreation centres, restaurants, hotels, event centres, motor parks, fitness centre, etc “except he is wearing a face mask that covers the nose and mouth, he washes his hands or cleaned the hands using hand sanitiser approved by NAFDAC and his body temperature has been checked.

    Anyone whose body temperature is above 38 degrees Celsius will be denied entry and advised to seek immediate medical attention.

    Part 1 deals with restrictions on gatherings. It stipulates that at all gatherings, a two-metre physical distance shall be maintained at all times between persons.

    It added, “No gathering of more than 50 persons shall be held in an enclosed space, except for religious purposes, in which case the gathering shall not exceed 50 per cent capacity of the space.”

  • Covid-19: BNSG Releases Funds for Mass Production of Face Masks for all schools

    Covid-19: BNSG Releases Funds for Mass Production of Face Masks for all schools

    ByIsaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Determined to curtail the spread of the corona virus, Benue State Government has released funds for mass production of face masks for distribution to all schools across the state for use by pupils and students to contain the spread of the virus. 

    Commissioner for Education in Benue State, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar who disclosed this while monitoring level of compliance to the Covid-19 safety protocols by schools in Makurdi noted that this would compliment those provided by parents. 

    The Commissioner implored leaders of schools to ensure that the safety protocols as pronounced by the NCDC are strictly adhered to by all and sundry such as regular hand washing, wearing of face mask, observing social and physical distancing among others.

    Prof. Ityavyar, warned that government would not hesitate to shut down any school caught flouting the outlined precautionary measures to serve as a deterrent to others. 

    He expressed satisfaction with compliance by some of the schools visited, assuring that government would sustain monitoring to ensure total compliance. 

    Findings by Day Break, however showed that there was little or no compliance to preventive measures by most of the schools in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

  • COVID -19: Kano Govt distributes 2m face masks to transport unions, students

    COVID -19: Kano Govt distributes 2m face masks to transport unions, students

    The Kano State Government on Sunday distributed 2 million face masks to various groups in the state, in an effort to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

    The distribution of the face masks was carried out by Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State.

    He said that the gesture would go a long way in curbing the spread of the pandemic.

    According to him, National Association of Transport Owners (NARTO), the National Union of Transport Workers (NURTW), student unions, markets associations, among others will benefit from the exercise.

    Ganduje said that the state government had made the wearing of face mask compulsory in public places across the state.

    “If the state government wants to sustain the efforts it has made in curtailing the disease in the state, COVID-19 protocols must be followed.

    “Although Kano State is winning the war against Coronavirus, there are some issues to stick to, especially coordination among the stakeholders to ensure compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

    “We have also observed that people are not comfortable with wearing face masks, which is a very important preventive measure.

    “We are working with relevant stakeholders, especially security agents to ensure total compliance in the state,” he said.

    He said that transport unions must ensure that the face masks are distributed to their members and drivers must ensure every passenger wears one before boarding their vehicle.

    The Deputy Governor of Kano state, Alhaji Nasiru Gawuna, said that the state government had earlier distributed 3 million pieces of face masks to various organisations in the state.

    Gawuna, however, urged the public to take responsibility to complement the government’s efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

    In his comment, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, said that the Emirate would continue to call on the good people of the state to abide by the order since it was meant for the general well-being of the public.

    “We are calling on the good people of Kano State to abide by the laid down rules and regulations, especially, during Eid-el-Kabir,” he said.(NAN)

  • Mask-up Lagos: LCDAs to distribute 20,000 face masks to residents

    Mask-up Lagos: LCDAs to distribute 20,000 face masks to residents

    The authorities in Ayobo Ipaja and Agabado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State, say they would begin the distribution of 10,000 face masks respectively in their communities under the ‘Mask Up Campaign’ to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID -19).

    Mr Yusuf Shakiru, Executive Chairman of Ayobo LCDA in statement on Tuesday said the exercise was in compliance with the directive of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on wearing of face masks, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

    “We embarked on distribution of face masks to corroborate the governor’s directive of wearing face masks which is aimed at reducing the spread of the dreaded disease.

    “We commend the efforts of the governor toward the complete eradication of the raging virus in the state while we distribute 10,000 masks to different groups and stakeholders within Ayobo- Ipaja LCDA,” he said.

    The council chairman cautioned that the administration would not hesitate to take drastic actions against those who flouted the state government’s directive.

    Similarly, Dr Augustine Arogundade, Council Chairman, Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA said that over 10, 000 face masks have been distributed to various communities in the LCDA, to prevent further spread of the pandemic in the communities.

    Arogundade said the gesture would go a long way in preventing COVID-19 cases in the communities.

    “We are going to do more for our people, but our wish is that the people should make proper use of the masks as directed by the officials.

    “The government will not hesitate to punish any erring resident who flaunts the directives of wearing the face mask in the community,” he said.

    Daybreak recalls that Lagos state government announced plans to revert to full lockdown, if there was no improvement in adherence to the public health guidelines.

    The government said that in the first week of easing of the lockdown, there were reports of flagrant disregard for the earlier announced health guidelines, a move that could frustrate the government’s efforts to contain the virus.

  • Malaysia hands out face masks as COVID-19 deaths hit 14

    Malaysia hands out face masks as COVID-19 deaths hit 14

    Malaysia’s Government on Monday promised to hand out 10 million protective face masks to citizens as concerns grew about the local impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

    As the local death toll rose by four on Monday, bringing the total number of death to 14, the Health Ministry linked two of the deaths to an Islamic ceremony, held in February in Kuala Lumpur.

    According to the ministry, the ceremony was attended by an estimated 15,000 people and has resulted in coronavirus cases in Brunei, Cambodia, Singapore and Thailand as well as in Malaysia.

    The deaths were announced as the government sought to ramp up its response to the growing crisis by ordering 10 million masks from China.

    “I have directed the National Disaster Management Agency to look into this and make sure the face masks are brought in as soon as possible,’’ Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said.

    Yassin, also announced several short-term measures to assist businesses, most hit by the spread of the virus.

    The Health Ministry said on Monday that Malaysia confirmed cases of COVID-19, the lung disease caused by the coronavirus, reached 1,518 after 212 new positive diagnoses.

    Malaysia’s caseload has almost tripled from 553 a week ago, the same day the government announced a lockdown, billed as an attempt to break the chain of infection, from March 18 to March 31.

    Yassin, however, said that the lockdown could be extended if the number of infections do not recede, warning that the pandemic, which had so far killed almost 15,000 people worldwide. (dpa/NAN)