Coronavirus: Minister Of Health Speaks On Screening Procedure At Airports

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has denied claims that passengers are not properly screened at the airports.

The minister during a press briefing on Monday revealed the procedure for screening of international passengers.

Ehanire further stated that no Nigerian in China has been diagnosed with the dreaded coronavirus, he added that the airline that brought the infected Italian have been notified and advised to observe and monitor its crew members.

Recall that Nigerians took to their social media platforms last week to question the screening procedures at the different International airport in the country.

The Minister, however, noted that there is necessary equipment at all airports especially the International airports to screen passengers.

He said, “All airports particularly International airport are well equipped. Some people do not know that they are being scanned, so they think nothing is been done.”

“We are using remote sensors, passive temperature gauges. I assure you that these things are in place. we will continuously check, cross-check, revise and update the form passengers fill.”

“There is standing manpower at our airports, we also have call-up manpower gotten from teaching hospitals, they are redeployed to where they’re needed”

“The Airports equipment are modern equipment, there are passing scanners. You walk passed it and you don’t know that your temperature is being taken.”

“There is also someone observing the screen, and if you happen to have a high temperature, you will see someone walk up to you and inform you politely to come for secondary screening.”

“There are people who pass through this camera without knowing that their temperature has been taken, so they complain that they have not been screened because we are used to the pistol type of scanners. We are using passing scanners, especially for international passengers.”

“Any other equipment we may need will be listed by NCDC and it will be procured.”