… As Lagos vows to prosecute flouters of COVID-19 guidelines***

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has rejected the visitation ban placed on Nigeria by Canada and UK over the Omicron variant, describing it as precipitate, unfair and discriminatory.

The forum stated this  in a statement in Abuja by its Chairman, Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti

The governors drew the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO) to the arbitrary stigmatisation that is caused by the recent banning of countries from visitation based on omicron spread.

“Only three cases of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus were detected in Nigeria less than a week ago, precisely on Dec. 1.

“Canada and the United Kingdom have hastily included Nigeria among the Omicron present countries which must stay away from their shores, an action viewed by the NGF as precipitate, unfair and discriminatory.

“Omicron still remains relatively unknown globally as it is not yet clear whether it is more transmissible from person to a person compared to other variants including Delta,” it stated.

According to NGF, it is very discouraging to note that there are several countries that have reported cases of Omicron similar to or higher than Nigeria’s, that have not been banned from entry to the UK and/Canada.

“Confirmed Omicron cases as at Dec. 3, across some countries are: Nigeria (three ); Australia (seven); Brazil (three); Germany (nine) Israel(four); Italy (nine) and Netherlands(16).

“There is also no evidence that harsh, blanket travel bans will protect the countries that impose them,” it stated.

The forum said it was ironical that the ban came at a time when the Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Ghebreyesus, advised that “rational proportional risk reduction measures” be taken by countries.

The NGF listed the measures given by Ghebreyesus to include screening passengers prior to departure and/or upon arrival in a country, or enforcing a quarantine period.

“The NGF, therefore, urges the WHO to intervene in this matter by setting uniform standards that are acceptable to all for banning countries across the globe.

“As we know, vaccine hesitancy is quite high and for many reasons including disruptive announcements like this which could exacerbate distrust of the vaccine and heighten hesitancy.

“World leaders and stakeholders in the West need to remember that with the COVID-19 pandemic until everyone is free, no one is free.

“Variants will continue to appear and spread across the globe as long as global herd immunity has not been achieved.,” he said.

The governors called on countries to be guided by science and fairness in setting the criteria for updating their red lists.

The NGF also encouraged both public and private stakeholders to continue to support vaccination efforts and address hesitancy.

The forum encouraged Nigerians not to be discouraged and to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

“As a platform for the 36 democratically elected governors of the country, the NGF believes it reserves the right to speak for its people.

“Besides, the NGF was proactive and ahead in the Polio eradication program in Nigeria, in the country’s response to the Ebola virus, and lately in the response against the coronavirus pandemic.

“Finally, health is one of the core mandate areas of the NGF and has remained an item on its meeting agenda in the past several months.”

In the same vein, the Lagos State Government says it will prosecute anyone found wanting in compliance with the current guidelines on travel protocols released by the Presidential Steering Committee.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said this on Tuesday in a statement, while giving the update on the management of Coronavirus in the state.

Sanwo-Olu said that Lagos State Government, in partnership with the Presidential Steering Committee, would commence the prosecution of those that refuse to submit themselves for the mandatory tests, by blacklisting their passports for a period of one year.

”All foreigners that flout the rules would be subjected to possible deportation.

”Therefore, I implore all intending inbound passengers to perform their required tests at any of the private laboratories within the Lagos State Private Laboratory Consortium as and when due,” he said.

The Incident Commander said that the current guidelines on travel protocols released by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 must be strictly followed by all passengers arriving in Nigeria.

The guidelines included COVID-19 PCR test to be done within 48hrs before departure; Post arrival Day 2 COVID-19 PCR test; All partially and unvaccinated individuals to self-isolate for seven days following arrival into the country and a Day 7 release PCR test.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

They also included that All outbound passengers to demonstrate evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19; and Negative PCR test result within 48hrs from the time to boarding a flight out of Nigeria.

He said that the regulation of Day 2 and Day 7 tests for inbound passengers for international flights were mandatory to assist Lagos State to monitor the inflow of positive passengers, which it had identified as a veritable source of waves and community spread of the virus.

The governor also warned against intending outbound passengers procuring fake COVID test results and/or vaccination cards for travel purposes.

According to him, the state government is currently working with the NCDC, DSS and the Nigerian Police Force to investigate and bring to book the criminal gangs involved in this reprehensible activity.

”We implore everyone to desist from patronising these gangs, as anyone found with a fake COVID test result and/or vaccination card will also be liable to prosecution and very stiff penalties.

”Our State Mobile Courts will be used to prosecute all those involved in flouting the regulations; as well as those engaged in the fraudulent production of fake COVID test results and vaccination certificates.

”To this end, the Lagos State Ministry of Health is collaborating with various enforcement stakeholders from the Ministry of Justice and the Task Force to ensure prompt prosecution of these individuals,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said that Lagos, like in other parts of the world, including Africa, was experiencing the beginning of the fourth wave with a current positivity rate of six per cent, which was against the positivity rates of 0.1 per cent, as of the middle of November 2021 in the state.

”Based on our analysis, the fourth wave was brought by the non-adherence to the laid down protocols to mitigate this pandemic.

”I would want to use this opportunity once again to appeal to everyone to get vaccinated and join hands with the Lagos State Government in managing this wave of the pandemic in this festive season by following the guidelines we have set, especially regarding the use of face masks, public gatherings and travelling in and out of Lagos State,” he said.