The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Adamawa has appealed to the state government to make the wearing of facemasks in public mandatory for the people of the state.
The state acting Director of the agency, Mohammed Gabdo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola on Friday that any person caught not using face masks should be punished.
Gabdo also urged the state government to provide free facemasks for the residents to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the state.
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The NOA director said that this would help the government to save the cost of treating those who might contract the virus as a result of not using face masks.
“I am appealing to the government to provide free facemasks for everyone entering public places, especially places of worship and markets.
“This will serve as a preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19,’’ he said.
Gabdo commended the state government for lifting the ban placed on religious gatherings in the state, thus enabling worshippers to hold their services.
He, however, enjoined religious leaders and their followers to abide by all the preventive measures issued by the government and health professionals, especially the use of facemasks and maintaining regular hand washing.