Dubai Returnees Decry Treatment in COVID-19 Isolation Center

Some Nigerians recently evacuated from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said they have not had it good since they returned from Dubai.

Claiming that although they all tested negative for COVID-19, the evacuees lamented that they were being treated as if they had the disease and treated like prisoners.

They told newsmen that the hotel where they are being quarantined in Lagos is surrounded by soldiers who do not allow them to even get fresh air or receive some sunlight within the compound.

One evacuee told newsmen that but for some officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control who visited them on Saturday morning, no government official had even called or visited to check their welfare.

Another, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of being victimized, said, “Sincerely, we have not had it good since we returned from Dubai. We all tested negative for COVID-19 but we are being treated as if we have the disease.

“We have been here for three days now but we have not been allowed to even breathe fresh air or even feel sunlight on our skin. It is as if we are in prison. Even the food we are being given is not good at all. We are just managing it.”

“We have been complaining about this but everything has fallen on deaf ears. No one from the government has called to ask about our living conditions. It was this morning (Saturday) that some NCDC officials came to check our health status.

“We are not allowed to even stroll within the compound. We are just inside our rooms. If things continue this way, some of us may even fall sick from being idle,” he said.

Recall that no fewer than 256 evacuated Nigerians arrived in Lagos State from the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.

They arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, via an Emirates Airline about 07.40pm and upon arrival, the evacuees were put on isolation for 14 days in line with the government’s COVID-19 protocol.