COVID-19: 141 violators of international travel regulations declared wanted by FG

No fewer than 141 travelers from Brazil, India and Turkey have been declared wanted by Nigeria’s Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) for violating the provisions of the COVID-19 Health Regulations Protection 2021.

The passengers who include both Nigerians and foreigners, were also declared dangerous to public health.

A statement by Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, advised the public to encourage them to present themselves in the next 48 hours to the closest health facility.

According to him, their punishments include disabling their travel passports for a period not less than one year; cancelation of visas/ permits of foreigners that have abused our hospitality; and prosecution under the 2021 Health Protection Regulations.

A break down of those declared wanted are four from Abuja, 52 from Lagos, 27 are unregistered passengers, while seven are designated as other categories of passengers.

“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.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: FG reintroduces restrictions on churches, mosques, lockdown

“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 underlisted 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 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.”

Mustapha also said:”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; Cancelation 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.”