The Lagos State Government on Sunday said about 119 passengers from COVID-19 high risk countries have refused to be isolated upon returning to the country.
The state government also warned that such passengers risk sanction if they failed to turn up for isolation and testing.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who raised the alarm on Sunday in a statement, also appealed to the families of those who refused to be isolated to return them for testing.
He said: “Since the commencement of the new guidelines and the ban on non-Nigerians travelling from three countries (India, Brazil and Turkey) into Nigeria, Lagos State has recorded 568 in-bound passengers, who have been permitted to enter Nigeria from these three countries. We have isolated 433 passengers in our various accredited hotels and facilities; 262 are in isolation and 154 passengers have been discharged with a negative COVID-19 test. Nine have tested positive to COVID-19 and successfully isolated to prevent community transmission. Of the remaining 135 passengers, 119 have refused isolation and 16 are unaccounted for.
“The families of those that have refused to be isolated should appeal to their loved ones to return for testing and isolation.”
Speaking further Professor Abayomi warned that the passports of Nigerians among the Absconded passengers would be deactivated for one year, while the residential permits of the foreigners among them will be revoked and have them also deported as stated by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19.
