Nigeria confirms 481 new COVID-19 infections as failure to wear mask attracts six month imprisonment in Ogun

Chidi Samuel| Nigeria on Wednesday confirmed 481 new COVID-19 cases bringing the country’s case load tally to 42, 689.

According to the data released by the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control, the Fderal Capital Territory (FCT) confirmed the highest number of new cases with 96 infections, followed by Lagos with 89, Plateau-68, Ogun-49, Edo-44, Rivers-43, Oyo-25, and Osun-23.

Other states that recorded new infections include, Delta-15, Enugu-11, Kano 7, Kaduna 7, Bauchi 2, Bayelsa, and Yobe recorded 1 case each.

The health agency further stated that Nigeria currently has 42, 689 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus with 878 deaths and 19, 270 recoveries.

The tweet read, 481 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;

FCT-96
Lagos-89
Plateau-68
Ogun-49
Edo-44
Rivers-43
Oyo-25
Osun-23
Delta-15
Enugu-11
Kano-7
Kaduna-7
Bauchi-2
Bayelsa-1
Yobe-1

42,689 confirmed
19,270 discharged
878 deaths

-Failure To Wear Facemasks Will Attract Six Months Imprisonment – Ogun Govt

Meanwhile, in a bid to curb the spread of the virus in Ogun state, South West Nigeria, the State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced that anyone who is caught moving about without a facemask, will be severely punished.

According to him, flouting the order can earn such persons up to six months imprisonment under an extant Regulation and State Law.

The governor who made the disclosure at a briefing, ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir (Ileya), celebrations, noted that the state will not be celebrating owing to COVID-19 restrictions which discourages large gatherings, whether for prayers or partying.

The governor said, “We will all, therefore, have to celebrate solemnly with our families, as the Almighty Allah (SWT) grants us the grace to celebrate more Ileyas in our lifetime.”

“All current measures and restrictions will remain in place for the general public.

“These include: 10 pm-4 am daily weekday curfew; total weekend lockdown; transport sector restrictions; decontamination and physical distancing; restaurants’ takeaway service allowance; measure compliance by industries; and wearing of facemasks, which if flouted is punishable by up to 6 months’ imprisonment under an extant Regulation and State Law.”