Second Wave: Nigeria To Suspend Passports Of Travelers Who Evade COVID-19Tests - PTF

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha on Tuesday said Nigeria will suspend passports of travelers who evade COVID-19 testing till June 2021 to serve as a deterrent to others.

Boss Mustapha who made this known while speaking at the COVID-19 routine briefing also added that the center will also publish the passports of the first 100 passengers who failed to undergo the compulsory COVID-19 test after returning to the country.

He said, “With effect from 1st January 2021 the passports of the first 100 passengers that failed to take their day seven post-arrival PCR test will be published in the national dailies. The passports, as a deterrent, will also be suspended till June 2021.”

Passengers arriving into the country are required to proceed into self-isolation and carry out a COVID-19 test seven days after arrival.

However, reports reveal that some passengers failed to observe the seven days’ isolation or present themselves for the PCR repeat test on day seven.

This online news medium understands that Mustapha had at a previous briefing said a total of 20,216 inbound travelers refused to show up for the post-arrival test they signed up for, thereby endangering members of the public.

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This violation of protocol may have contributed to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases which has put the nation on a dangerous curve.

As of Tuesday, Nigeria has recorded 84,811 cases of the virus, of which 71,357 have been successfully treated and discharged.