The federal government has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to wanted 132 passengers who violated its COVID-19 quarantine protocols.

The Presidential Steering Committee’s on COVID-19’s chairman Boss Mustapha disclosed this in a statement.

“The 132 violators of the advisory, entered through Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Members of the public should be on the lookout,” he said.

“They must therefore transport themselves safely, to the nearest state public health departments within 48 hours of this notice for immediate evaluation and call the Port Health Services, Federal Ministry of Health on 08036134672 or 08032461990 for further directions,” he explained.

The PSC, on May 1, issued a travel advisory, instructing travellers arriving from India, Brazil, and Turkey, or who had visited the countries within 14 days of their trip to Nigeria, to observe certain protocols, including compulsory quarantine and testing in designated facilities on arrival.

However, the committee observed that many travellers had been violating the advisory, leading to the earlier announcement of 90 violators as wanted persons on May 9.

Mr Mustapha added that the 132 additional violators of the advisory entered through Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

“These precautionary measures are a necessary step to mitigate the risk of importation of variants of concern and break the chain of transmission to the population.

“Under the new measures, passengers arriving from/or that have visited any of these three countries within fourteen (14) days prior to the visit to Nigeria are required to follow mandatory arrival quarantine and testing protocols in designated facilities,” stated Mr Mustapha.

He added, “The PSC shall, in addition, take further steps to sanction these violators. These steps include: disabling their travel passports for a period not less than one year; cancelation of visas/permits of foreigners that have abused Nigeria’s hospitality, and prosecution under the 2021 Health Protection Regulations.”

(NAN)