LAGOS: Govt raises alarm over fake Covid-19 certificates in circulation

THE State Government says it has uncovered one of the ploys employed by some travellers coming into the country to evade being tested for Covid-19.

The government said a number of people who came into the country were patronising individuals who sell fake Covid-19 results’ certificates.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi disclosed this at a press conference to give update on second wave of the virus in the state.

Abayomi said government was currently putting machinery in place to apprehend those doing such unscrupulous businesses.

The commissioner also raised the alarm that there had been an increase in positive cases from inbound travellers, which rose to eight percent this week.

In his words: “Positivity for inbound travellers is on the rise (8% this week, 4% cumulative) as Nigerians in Diaspora return to spend Christmas in Lagos.

“It has come to our attention that a number of people are patronizing individuals that sell fake COVID-19 results.

“We are currently putting in processes to identify both buyers and sellers and we will not hesitate to prosecute either to the full extent of the law.”

Expressing displeasure over non-compliance on the part of inbound travellers, Abayomi said a significant number of the people who registered on the Lagos State Covid-19 portal for post-arrival test have been tested while there are a number of people who paid for the test, but did not show up for testing.

“Efforts are being made through our logistics arm to reach this group of people. These attempts have been met with challenges as several people used fake contact information while registering on the testing portal.” he said.

Stating that for the sake and safety of the general public, such people should come for testing immediately, he threatened to submit their details to the Presidential Task Force for deactivation of their passports.

Abayomi also said the reason for the second wave of COVID-19 was due to reopening of schools, General Laxity, False Sense, of Security and Non-adherence to guidelines; opening of the economy, variant, large religious
congregation and social gathering and entertainment.

He disclosed that Lagos State had increased its testing capacity per Day (August – December 2020), as the state is now testing between 2,000 and 3,000 per day.