The Presidency has expressed worries over the reluctance of Nigerians to comply with the Executive Order that makes mask-wearing and observation of social distancing in the public mandatory.
A statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) explained that President Muhammadu Buhari introduced the order with the best of intentions and not with any motive to punish citizens.
It, therefore, appealed to Nigerians to give their maximum cooperation for the success of the policy as it is the only way to avoid further lockdowns.
The government says a fine or six months imprisonment and or both is the punnsihment for those who break the law. The Presidency also appealed to State Governments, traditional rulers and religious leaders to play active roles in the sensitisation and enforcement of the Executive Order.
According to the Presidency, to achieve this, COVID-19 task forces and committees should persuade members of the public to cooperate with the government in achieving compliance and avoid crude methods that may create resistance and resentment, thereby defeating the primary goal of the Executive Order.
It further affirmed: “The Buhari administration is most reluctant to lock down the country and continues to emphasize the non-pharmaceutical measures and the only way to avert lockdowns is to observe these measures as put in place by the Presidential Task Force.