Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos says the state will enforce compulsory wearing of face masks as from next week.
Sanwo-Olu spoke during a press briefing at the state house, Marina, on Monday. He said the decision is part of the measures to protect residents against COVID-19.
He said about a million locally-made face mask, that were contracted to tailors, will be distributed during the week.
He advised residents not to rush the medical-grade face masks used by health workers, saying the locally-made ones will be sufficient and adequate.
He also said the state will prosecute patients who lie about their travel history to health workers.
“From next week, we are going to ask that face masks be compulsorily worn in public places. This is part of the deliberation we have had yo go through extensively today,” he said.
“We have commissioned more than one million face masks to be distributed in the state.”
On those who deceive health workers about their travel history or health condition, the governor said: “These patients do not only endanger their lives but the lives of our front line medical personnel, we already have some names and they will be prosecuted duly.
“We would therefore like to appeal to our health workers to raise alarm as soon as they notice anything of sort.”
With 379 cases, Lagos currently has the highest number of confirmed cases of the disease in Nigeria. Of that number, 98 patients have recovered while 14 deaths have been recorded.