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Nigeria makes wearing face masks compulsory as coronavirus cases jump to 2170

All the people found in public without face masks in Nigeria will be prosecuted.
The new rule is contained in the newly released guidelines from the Federal Government to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The guidelines signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, will enter into force from May 4 to May 17, 2020.

“Anyone who presents a temperature of above 38ºC will be mandated to return home and call NCDC for evaluation,” the SGF said. “Anyone without a face mask/covering will be asked to return home and will be prosecuted.

“Anyone violating the curfew in a non-emergency situation will be prosecuted. Anyone attending a gathering of more than 20 people will be prosecuted.

“Any member of the public who violates the ban on Inter-State movement as outlined in this guideline will be prosecuted.”

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Latest report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control shows that 238 new confirmed cases and ten deaths were recorded in Nigeria yesterday.

No new state has reported a coronavirus case in the last 24 hours. So far 2170 cases have been confirmed, 351 cases have been discharged and 68 deaths have been recorded in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

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The 238 new cases are reported from twenty-two states- Kano (92), FCT (36), Lagos (30), Gombe (16), Bauchi (10), Delta (8), Oyo (6), Zamfara (5), Sokoto (5), Ondo (4), Nasarawa (4), Kwara (3), Edo (3), Ekiti (3), Borno (3), Yobe (3), Adamawa (2), Niger (1), Imo (1), Ebonyi (1), Rivers (1), Enugu (1).

Nigerians are encouraged to make their own cloth face mask at home. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has prepared a simple step-by-step guide giving instructions using easy to find items. You can consult the guide here: UseOfClothFaceMasks.

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