The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 has declared 90 travelers wanted. They wanted travelers included Nigerians and foreigners, who were described as dangers to public health.
In a statement by the Chairman of the PSC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, the Committee maintained that the 90 persons, who were currently at large, had violated the guidelines issued for travelers entering Nigeria from India, Turkey, and Brazil.
After identifying the danger posed to global health by the new variants of COVID-19, which were predominantly found in the three countries, the FG had introduced a travel advisory, mandating travelers from any of the countries, or what had visited any of the 14 days prior before arriving Nigeria, to undergo a compulsory arrival quarantine and testing protocols.
The Committee accused the wanted persons of endangering the public health regulations, which attract spelt out punishments.
“The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 on 1st May, 2021 issued a Travel Advisory for Passengers arriving in Nigeria from Brazil, India, and Turkey.
“These precautionary measures are a necessary step to mitigate the risk of importation of variants of concern and break the chain of transmission to the population.
“Under the new measures, passengers arriving from/or that have visited any of these three countries within fourteen (14) days prior to the visit to Nigeria, are required to follow mandatory arrival quarantine and testing protocols in designated facilities.
“The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) has however observed that while most of the arriving passengers dutifully observed the guidelines, some (Nigerians and Foreigners) have violated them in contravention of the provisions of the CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) HEALTH REGULATIONS PROTECTION, 2021.
“Accordingly, the under listed persons who arrived in Nigeria between 8th May 2021 and 15th May 2021 through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and whose names and passport numbers are displayed, have been declared Persons of Interest (POI) on account of posing a considerable danger to overall public health and for the violation of Nigeria COVID-19 travel protocol by evading the mandatory 7-day quarantine for persons arriving from restricted countries.
“Members of the public are by this notice advised that these persons of interest constitute an immediate health hazard to the society. They must therefore transport themselves safely, to the nearest state public health departments within 48hrs of this notice for immediate evaluation and call the Port Health Services, Federal Ministry of Health on 08036134672 or 08032461990 for further directions.
“The PSC shall in addition, take further steps to sanction these violators. These steps include: Disabling their travel passports for a period not less than one year; Cancellation of visas/ permits of foreigners that have abused our hospitality; and Prosecution under the 2021 Health Protection Regulations.
“Additional list of Batch II defaulters shall be published in subsequent announcement by the PSC,” the statement reads.
