Breaking Coronavirus: FG, Finally Bans Travelers From US, Others

By Fola James

Barely 24 hours after the National Assembly passed resolutions to the federal government to ban travels from Corona virus ravaged countries, the President Muhammadu Administration has issued a travel restrictions on Travelers from UK, US and China.

The government has also issued travel advisory for Nigerians willing to travel out of the country.

South Africa had earlier enforced travel ban on these countries after the virus has spread to no fewer than 27 countries in Africa.

The government’s made a u-turn after its earlier position that Nigerian borders will be left opened in spite of the threat.

The restriction will now commence on Saturday, as part of the ongoing effort to stop the spread of the virus, known as Covid-19, that has killed over 20,000 across the globe.

The travel ban will kick in from Saturday.

At a briefing on Wednesday, the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 said ”You will recall that yesterday Tuesday 17‘h March, 2020 the Presidential Task Force on COVlD-19 set up by Mr. President was inaugurated and held its first briefing.”

”You will also recall that the PTF at the end of the meeting announced the ban on all forms of travels by public officers and civil servants until further notice.

”This morning, we have found it necessary to brief Nigerians on further measures being taken after an assessment of the global situation. They are as follows.”

Travelers from 13 countries will be restricted from entering Nigeria, the Task force said

”i. The Federal Government of Nigeria is restricting entry into the country for travellers from the following thirteen (13) countries; China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Switzerland. These are all countries with over 1,000 case domestically;

”ii. All persons arriving in Nigeria who might have visited these countries, 14 days prior to such arrival, will be subjected to supervised self-isolation and testing for 14 days;

”iii. The Federal Government is temporarily suspending the issuance of all visas on arrival;

”iv. The Federal Government is also counseling all Nigerians to cancel or postpone all non-essential travels to these countries; and

”v. The Federal Government urges Public Health Authorities of countries with high burden to conduct diligent departure screening of passengers and also endorses this travel advisories to their nationals to postpone travels to Nigeria.

”4. These restrictions will come into effect from Saturday, 21st March, 2020 for four (4) weeks subject to review.”