COVID-19: FG Warns Fresh Infection Waves Loom, Decries Protocol Breaches

• Says 65% Nigerian returnees evading tests

• Threatens seizure of erring travellers’ passport

BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI, ABUJA – Obviously worried by the relaxed mood of Nigerians to existing Coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols, the Federal Government has threatened to sanction Nigerians returning to the country without observing the set travels rules.

He said seizing the passports of erring travellers is on the table as punishment for individuals whose disregard for COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols could cause a second wave of coronavirus infections in Nigeria.

Chairman of The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, said quite disturbing is the lack of compliance with the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test protocol by over 65 per cent of Nigerians returning to the country.

Mustapha, who spoke at the PTF media briefing in Abuja, said: “As you may recall, the PTF announced guidelines on reopening of the airspace and obligations of arriving passengers. The PTF similarly announced sanctions as a consequence of any infraction.

“Having observed serious non-compliance to the level of 65 per cent, the need has arisen to activate the sanctions which include the suspension of the passports of such defaulting individuals for a period of six months minimum.”

According to him, the virus’ resurgence in Europe and the United States (USA) certainly highlights the fact that Nigeria remains at risk of COVID-19 importation, having opened its airspace for international travels as well as possible spike due to the nationwide #EndSARS mass protests.

He said the PTF is disturbed by the failure of Nigerians arriving from abroad to present themselves for the in-country PCR test which they signed up to and paid before arrival.

Maintaining that government will not fold its hands and watch things deteriorate, the SGF frowned at a situation where emerging statistics from the PTF’s records indicate that “only one out of three passengers have shown up for the in-country test.”

The PTF Chairman further said; “Our concern is heightened by several emerging factors that challenge whatever gains we may have made in recent months: the inevitable need to reopen air travel, to stimulate economic activities, the imminent reopening of schools and Youth Service, again necessary for restoration of social order, but which global experience links with spikes in COVID-19 infection rates in most countries.”

In his remarks, Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, confirmed as genuine fears expressed by the PTF Chairman of possible rise in infection figures.

In his words; “The evolving global situation of COVID-19 gives us much reason for concern. Over 2.8 million cases were reported in the last one week, with half of the cases in Europe.

“The UK, France, Germany, Spain and others in Europe have resorted to lock-down and other measures, to control the pandemic. With the high volume of air traffic between Nigeria and Europe, we are examining the associated risk factors for Nigeria.”

Also, Dr Ehanire is overly worried that the testing rate has continue to drop in several states of the federation, noting that from available records, only Lagos and the FCT have met the testing target of at least one per cent of the population.

“Plateau, Rivers and Gombe have reached over 50 per cent of target, while 25 states are yet to reach 25 per cent of their population. We do not have the confidence to draw firm conclusions on our status, till this situation improves”, he explained.

“The effect of recent social agitation and unrest, with attendant disruption of services and widespread breach of all infection prevention protocols, the growing lackadaisical attitude to COVID-19 and disregard for safety and simple infection prevention and control measures, which I must admit, is not peculiar to our country.”

The Minister however assured that government would continue to evaluate the impact of recent unguarded mass gatherings in various parts of the country as a risk factor for spreading COVID-19 pandemic

“My concern is that we may find a spike in confirmed cases, with the widespread disregard for preventive measures associated with large gatherings and movements”, he said

Dr Ehanire urged states and all stakeholders to step up their testing capacity that would aid the process of identifying positive cases for isolation or treatment and protection of the larger population.

“We must take collective responsibility for each others’ actions, if we are not to experience the upsurges in new cases experienced in many other countries, and a throwback to conditions worse than the present.”

On contact tracing, the Minister said  preliminary reports showed that case finding have declined in states, with consequent reduction in the number of persons tested.