Gazetted on the 17th of May 2020 is S.I 110 of 2020. This is the 8th order that the Minister of Health has promulgated as part of the lockdown legislation passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This article will highlight the major points emanating from this Statutory Instrument.
Lockdown extension
The Statutory Instrument extends the lockdown indefinitely subject to a review every two weeks.
Extension of the definition of essential services
The definition of essential services now includes the conducting of public examination in schools, colleges, universities, and tertiary institutions.
This means that public examinations can now be conducted without hindrance.
Outdoor Exercises
The statutory instrument now permits persons to engage in outdoor exercises on condition that group exercises shall be limited to a maximum of 50 people.
Persons are required to wear facemasks and maintain social distancing during such exercises.
Public Gatherings
Gatherings of more than 50 people are still barred.
Extension of working hours
Businesses in the formal commercial sector of the economy are now permitted to operate from 0800 hours to 1630hours.
Low-risk sports
Some sports are now permitted provided certain conditions are met. These sports include swimming, athletics, rowing, cycling, equestrian events, fencing, golf, gymnastics, motorsports/BMX, shooting, tennis, chess, darts, drafts, and pool.
Some of the conditions for these sports include:
- Spectators should be less than 50.
- Athletes should maintain social distancing.
- Temperatures should be checked before and after the sports.
- Athletes don’t share PPE.
Persons competing or spectating should also be subjected to testing for the COVID-19 disease at the direction of an enforcement officer.