Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has signed an Executive Order giving legal backing to the measures, most notably mass restriction of movement, taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 throughout Adamawa State.
known as the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Restriction Adamawa State Regulations 2020 Order, it came into force by midnight of Tuesday, 31st March 2020, a statement from the government said on Wednesday.
The statement by the Governor’s Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikiu, said the Restriction Order prohibits a person from leaving his abode without reasonable excuse except to obtain basic necessities such as food, drugs and water within its two-week lifespan.
According to the statement, people seeking medical assistance, providing care and assistance to a vulnerable person, donating blood or for the purpose of work classified as essential services, are also allowed movement.
“Government expects citizens to exercise caution when considering any undertaking outside those exceptions specifically allowed, as they may have to justify that to the police or other law enforcement agencies and the courts.
“Under the Regulation, the police or law enforcement officers may use reasonable force if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a person is, or may be infected or contaminated with the Coronavirus and there is a risk that the person might infect others,” the statement said.
It explained that the main purpose of the Order “is for protection of citizens and the furtherance of public safety which is the fulcrum of any responsible Government.”
It stressed that it is an offence under the Restriction Order for a person to provide false or misleading information, or to obstruct any person lawfully enforcing its provisions, without reasonable excuse.
It adds that any person who fails to comply with the provisions is liable on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding N50,000.00 or six months’ imprisonment or both.