Covid-19 Quarantine: 18% In-bound Passengers Not Traceable, Says Sanwo-Olu

'Dotun Akintomide
Writer

Ad

AfDB backs AI training to accelerate Agenda 2063 delivery

By Obinna Uballa The African Development Bank (AfDB) has thrown its weight behind a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme aimed at fast-tracking the implementation of Africa’s continental development blueprint, Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. Through its Joint Secretariat Support Office, the Bank provided technical and financial support for the 5th Annual Training Workshop…

Nigerian Oil Stands to Gain as India Shies Away From Russian Crude

India is pivoting away from Russian oil following U.S. tariff hikes. Indian refiners are moving quickly to secure cargoes from Nigeria, Angola, Abu Dhabi, and the U.S., The shift could deepen ties between India and Nigeria, though competition for Nigerian barrels is rising as the Dangote Refinery ramps toward full capacity and sources more crude…

EU Scrambles to Stay Relevant as Trump-Putin Alaska Summit Looms

The August 15 Trump-Putin meeting has caught Europe off guard, sparking urgent diplomatic moves to avoid being sidelined. EU leaders have set strict red lines on Ukraine, including a cease-fire and security guarantees, but face internal divisions, notably from Hungary. Despite threats of more sanctions and military proposals, Europe’s influence appears limited compared to Washington…

Ad

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says 18 per cent of passengers that arrived Lagos through Murtala Mohammed Airport cannot be traced for COVID-19 quarantine.

Sanwo-Olu made this known on Sunday in the update of the coronavirus pandemic situation in Lagos State.

He said that between May 8, 2021 and July 7, 2021, a total of 50,322 passengers of interest arrived in Lagos via the Murtala Mohammed Airport.

”Of the 50,322 passengers, 18 per cent could not be reached by EKOTELEMED because of the provision of either wrong numbers or wrong Nigerian contact details to be reached on,” the Chief Incident Commander said.

He said that it was the responsibility of passengers to ensure they provided the right details for them to be reached for proper monitoring.

”Going forward, passengers that do not provide the right details, including a phone number they can be reached for monitoring and an address for isolation, will face serious sanctions, including fines and imprisonment according to our Lagos State Coronavirus Law of 2021.

”As dictated by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC), passengers from red-listed countries (India, South Africa, Brazil and Turkey) are required to observe mandatory isolation.

”So far, we have successfully isolated 2,386 passengers in Lagos State. Of this number, 15 per cent have absconded,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He said that sanctions were being recommended and had already been meted out to defaulters.

The governor said that the sanctions for foreigners were revocation of their Permanent Residency and deportation; while for Nigerians were prosecution to the full extent of the Lagos State COVID-19 Law.

He also said that greater vigilance was required at this time in the churches and mosques and other places of religious worship.

Sanwo-Olu said that the state was pleased that religious houses were now open for worship, after the lengthy closures of 2020, however, worshippers must not be carried away by the illusion that all was now back to normal.

”This is especially critical, as Sallah approaches, in a little over a week from now.

”The festivities will no doubt bring people together in large numbers and create conditions that can sadly cause the spread of the coronavirus. We must not allow this to happen.

”For this reason, we are mandating full compliance with all protective protocols.

”There must be compulsory use of masks in all public places, social distancing, temperature checks, provisions for hand-washing and sanitisers, and a maximum of 50 per cent occupancy in enclosed spaces,” he said.

NAN

Ad

X whatsapp