The ministry of health has asked escaped coronavirus patients to report surrender themselves with ‘immediate’ effect or risk serious consequences which could include having their identities made public.
The health ministry said on Tuesday afternoon 40 people are mingling with members of the public even after they tested positive for coronavirus.
“Several efforts have been made in the past month by the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Response Team to reach and/or convince the abovementioned individuals to voluntarily comply, however all efforts have turned out futile,” top ministry of health official Modou Njai said in a statement.
Njai added: “The Ministry continues to treat these matters with utmost and grave concern and thus, the Ministry is hereby giving an order and ultimatum to all those concerned, that they are required to report themselves to the health authorities with immediate effect and failure of which will lead to serious consequences, including the publication of names and identifying information of all those at large.
“Therefore, all positive cases should self-report by calling the following numbers (1025; 3011261; 3632098), and those travelers who entered into the country and are yet to undergo sample collection must immediately report to Metzy Hotel or call the aforementioned numbers for further clarification.
“The Ministry would like to stress that this serious and ruthless misconduct will no longer be condoned under any circumstances. Anyone found not willing to cooperate with COVID-19 regulations will have their names and identifying information published on the media and thereafter, drastic measures will be taken against anyone that is non-compliant.
“Accordingly, the public is hereby reminded that the Public Health Emergency Act (Dangerous Infectious Diseases) Protection Regulations 2020 empowers the Minister or Officers acting under his authority to take strict measures as to when and where necessary.
“We urge the public to become more cautious and adhere to the advised safety precautions especially that with regard to social distancing, wearing of face masks in public and avoiding large gatherings.”
