A Nigerian man in the United Kingdom has been banned from work over fears that he might have Ebola. Sam Ogunnoiki, who works as a security guard, was told to stay away after colleagues became anxious that he might have contracted Ebola after a visit to Nigeria.
46-year-old Ogunnoiki was also told by his bosses at Stout Security Ltd that a British doctor has to certify him Ebola-free before he can resume work, Metro UK reports.
A letter received from the company to that effect reads:
“I have spoken to you and expressed my very deep concerns about your trip to Nigeria.”
“Several members of staff have now voiced their concerns about the possibility of your carrying the Ebola virus back with you and have made it very clear that they are extremely reluctant to work with you on your return.”
“One member of staff has even written a clear and concise letter stating the concerns of your work colleagues. In this case I have to support their concerns especially as I have already voiced them personally to you.”
“In order to allay any fears that you are a carrier for this deadly virus I feel I cannot allow you to return to work until you have been back in the United Kingdom for three weeks, which is the incubation period.”
“I must also request that you visit your doctor on your return and get a clean bill of health before you can start work with us. I am very sorry about this Sam but everyone works in close proximity together and I have to put the concerns of the majority first.”
Ogunnoiki’s boss, identified simply as Mr. Mannell, defended the ban saying:
“I did send Sam a letter saying anyone returning from any African countries for safety reasons cannot work for three weeks afterwards.”
“I know Nigeria is Ebola-free but I don’t know where he’s travelled. My problem is that Pendennis [shipyard], which I have a contract with, sent me an email saying they cannot have anyone working there that’s been in contact with Sam,” he added.
The Pendennis Shipyard however denied imposing a ban on Mr. Ogunnoiki saying it was strictly a matter between him and his direct employers.
Mr. Ogunnoiki, who is a British citizen, had this to say about the scenario:
“Nigeria does not have Ebola but he said I have to be cleared. There is this stigma surrounding me now – it’s just ignorance and a nightmare because I cannot work.”
“I’m a British citizen. There is no justification for this at all,” he added.
This comes after 7-year-old Ikeoluwa Opayemi, who is resident in Connecticut, US, was banned from school after a trip to Nigeria.
Nigeria was declared Ebola-free on October 20, 2014 by the World Health Organization after recording 20 cases and 8 deaths.
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