Boss MustaphaPresidential Task Force (PTF) has announced the seizure of the passports of 100 in-bound airline passengers who failed to take the second test of coronavirus on their arrival in the country.
Chairman of the Task Force, Boss Mustapha, at the national briefing today, December, in Abuja said that the names of the passengers would be published on Jan. 1, 2021, while the suspension of the passports would last for six months.
Boss Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said: “with effect from January 1, 2021, passports of the first 100 passengers, who failed to take their day-seven post-arrival polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, would be published in the national dailies.”
The SGF lamented the difficulties experienced in the national response, noting,”Our National Response is passing through a challenging phase due to the seriousness of the second wave of infections in Nigeria.
”Week 52 has so far given us the highest number of infections in a single week to date. Our analysis shows that 16 out of every 100 tests carried out are positive.
”We are also seeing increasing transmission among younger people and this is not considered good and safe. We must, therefore, exercise utmost restraint by taking responsibility.”
Boss Mustapha said that the PTF had discussed two critical issues, Oxygen supply and Case Management, and during the conversation with health authorities, CMDs of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, National Hospital; Jabi & Gwagwalada, the PTF directed that the level of Infections, Prevention and Control, as well as case management, should be prioritised immediately.
”With the increasing number of infections and hospitalisation, our objectives are to: ensure that infection, prevention and control (IPC) is properly instituted to minimise spread and exposure of health care workers to the virus;
”Ensure that those who require hospitalisation are well managed; those requiring medical attention for other ailments gain access to Treatment at medical facilities; and critical care is available and deployed, especially where oxygen is needed.
“The situation in Abuja and its environs has been of concern to the PTF.”
