The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has revealed that no fewer than 39,070 passengers, who arrived the country did not pay for coronavirus test.
Chairman of the Task Force and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, who made the disclosure at the PTF daily briefing on Mo Monday, in Abuja, further disclosed that some travellers presented fake documents on COVID-19 tests and other information.
Pre- and post-arrival tests are part of the conditions travellers using the country’s airports must fulfill.
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Tests are paid for by travellers.
Speaking on Monday, Mustapha stated that some of those who made payment for post-arrival test had failed to show up for the tests.
Meanwhile, he said between N220m and N270m has been paid by the individuals to private labs for the tests.
He said: “It has been discovered that some of these travellers have indulged in presenting fake documents. Some that have paid for post arrival testing have failed to show up for the tests.”
According to him, statistics showed that as of November 9, the total number of bookings was 91,522; total number of passengers exempted (diplomats and some others), 5,470 (6%); children, 1,248 (1.36 per cent); diplomats, 3,392 (3.7 per cent); and evacuees, 830 (0.9 per cent).
The SGF also said while the total passengers expected to pay were 86,052 (94 per cent), those that paid were 46,982 (54.6 per cent) and those that had not paid were 39,070 (45.45 per cent).
“Travellers that have arrived in-country but have not paid (approximately 39,000). Amount paid to private labs by passengers who have refused to take the post-arrival seven-day test is between N220m and N270m,” he further stated.
He disclosed that the PTF, working with relevant institutions and legal authorities was plans sanction the defaulters.
The PTF boss maintained that the various guidelines and the testing regime prescribed for in-bound passengers would remain in force.
Speaking further, Mustapha restated the warning against non-essential trips saying that transmission rate of the disease has become quite high.
His words: “Ahead of the upsurge in travels for the Christmas and New Year festivities, we urge strongly that for this year, such trips should be put on hold firmly because of the risks involved.
“The transmission rate has simply become astronomical. The PTF similarly finds it necessary to mention that during the Christmas and New Year festivities, large social gatherings should also be avoided because there is a bigger risk of COVID-19 transmission.
“New clusters of cases can emerge in places that have so far been unaffected as people travel and gather for festivities. But we can lower the risks by adhering to the non-pharmaceutical interventions and celebrate, safely. There will always be many more festive seasons to celebrate.”
