Report yourselves for COVID-19 tests, Presidency orders returnee Reps

The Presidency has ordered House of Representatives members who recently returned to the country and refused  to undergo Coronavirus tests at the airport to immediately submit themselves for medical assessment.

The order is contained in a letter written to the leadership of the National Assembly by Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, wherein he described the action of the lawmakers as a threat to the nation.

Before the closure of all international flights into the country on Saturday, travellers are being medically screened once they return to the country from foreign trips. This is one of the measures put in place by the Federal Government to checkmate  Coronavirus disease currently on the rise in the country.

“It has been brought to the honourable minister of health recently reported to this office that some members of the house of representatives are refusing to subject themselves to medical screening at airports,” the letter dated March 21 read.

“As you are aware, these airport screenings are our primary line of defense and refusal by any citizen to subject to these tests is a threat to our nation. 

“Accordingly, you are kindly requested to direct all members of the house of representatives who returned to Nigeria from foreign trips to report themselves to the nearest NCDC test centre with immediate effect,” the epistle copied to Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, read.