Ten Things you should know about The Lagos State Infectious Diseases Regulation 2020

(The Regulation)

In view of the highly contagious nature of SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) and its imminent threat to the residents of Lagos State; the Lagos State Governor issued the Infectious Diseases Regulation 2020 ("the Regulation") pursuant to the Governor's power under the Quarantine Act and the Lagos State Public Health Law Ch. P16 Laws of Lagos State 2015. The Regulation was signed by the Governor on the 27th March 2020 and it became operative on the same day. It ratified all the acts done prior to its issuance. Below are ten important points to note about the Regulation:

  1. The Governor is authorised to impose restrictions, issue directives and take all necessary action to prevent, control or contain the incidence of COVID-19 within Lagos State.
  2. The Governor (or other authorised person) has the power to direct that any potentially infectious person should go to a designated place for screening and assessment, or to go into isolation for 14 days.
  3. If any person fails or refuses to go for screening, assessment or isolation as directed, the Governor (or any authorised person) has the power to order the removal of such a person to carry out the screening and assessment or to be placed in isolation for 14 days.
  4. The Governor has the power to restrict the movement of persons and vehicles within Lagos State. However, transportation of essential supplies (i.e. food, water or medicine/medical supplies) are allowed. Personnel involved in the transportation or movement of such supplies are allowed free movement.
  5. The Governor has the power to restrict trade and commercial activities, and to order the temporary closure of bars, event centres, places of worship, public, educational and vocational institutions or place restrictions on the number of persons that may be present there for as long as he deems necessary. Manufacturers of essential supplies are exempt.
  6. The Governor can mandate security agencies to break up any gatherings of persons that contravene the restrictions without permit.
  7. It is an offence to hoard or inflate prices of food, water, essential supplies etc. A breach will result in seizure and forfeiture of the goods to the State, which the government may utilise in bridging supply gaps within the State.
  8. The Governor can specify the conditions for transporting, storing, cremating or otherwise disposing of the remains of persons who died from the COVID-19 infection.
  9. Do not share false information regarding COVID-19 or its outbreak in the State, or promote unverified, untested or unapproved cures, vaccines or medicinal items that purport to cure, alleviate or reduce the likelihood of a COVID-19 infection.
  10. A breach of the Regulation or any orders made further to it is an offence which carries an option of imprisonment.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.