Ogun Government Vows To Jail Facemask Rule Violators For Six Months

The Ogun State Government has warned residents moving about the state without facemasks to desist from doing so or risk six months imprisonment.

Governor Dapo Abiodun gave the warning while speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday the 29th of July 2020.

Governor Abiodun said the wearing of facemasks is now compulsory for residents moving around in public, adding that anyone caught without it will be dealt with.

He said the five working days in the week, Monday to Friday, are still open for businesses and other economic transactions while the Saturday and Sunday lockdown continues until 14th August 2020.

“Wearing of facemasks in the public is now compulsory. Therefore, I hereby invoke powers conferred on me by Regulation 7 of the Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations No. 2 of 2020 (the Regulations), made pursuant to section 33 of the Public Health Law of Ogun State (the Law), to mandate the compulsory wearing of face masks by all persons in public as part of measures to prevent the rapid spread of the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

“Failure to do so is punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment under Regulation 8 of the Regulations and section 68 of the Law. Only one passenger is still allowed for motorcycles and two passengers only for tricycles; taxi cabs and buses still have 60% limitation on their carrying capacity and the measure to arrest and impound any driver that contravenes this in our State is still in force

“The COVID-19 Task Force in markets must continue to ensure physical distancing, availability of handwashing facilities, and use of gloves and facemasks for traders.

“Decontamination will continue in our markets and other public places; limitation of all gatherings to a maximum number of 20, is still in effect till 14th August 2020.

“We have commenced the process of certifying Gyms, arcades, swimming pools, barber-shops, spas, beauty Salons, and all public parks, and golf courses including those in private residential estates with a view to reopening them in the foreseeable future.

“Event centres, bars, casinos, cinemas, and night clubs are still under lockdown; restaurants are permitted to provide only take-away services and should also ensure that there are no more than 10-15 customers at a time with physical distancing measures in place. Guidelines for eat-in services are still being fine-tuned.”

The Governor also said all industries in Ogun State should continue to comply with the “Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for Workplaces in Ogun State to Combat COVID-19” as issued by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments.

“Therefore, testing of staff for COVID-19 in all industries in the State must be sustained; The Task Force set up to conduct random spot checks on the premises of the industries, restaurants and other business enterprises to confirm compliance is still in operation.”

The Governor thanked all frontline workers as well as health workers for their dedication towards the fight against COVID-19.