COVID-19: No travel restrictions or ban yet by Nigeria – FG

Atiku insists on restriction of flights from some countries

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie, said on Thursday, that Nigeria had not placed travel restrictions or ban following the outbreak of the coronavirus, code-named COVID-19.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire

Osagie said this in Abuja while briefing members of the Diplomatic Corps on measures taken by Nigeria to contain the spread of the virus and the Federal Government’s Visa-On-Arrival policy.

He said that the measures were initiated as a result of the two cases of COVID-19 so far recorded in the country with no deaths or serious illness as of March 11, 2020.

According to him, Nigeria’s preparedness and response are focused on surveillance at every entry point, infection prevention and control, risk communication, laboratory diagnosis, case management and coordination.

He said: “The President of Nigeria just constituted the Federal Task Force led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“Call care service at the Federal Ministry of Health has intensified screening of all incoming international travellers with the use of thermal scanners. We issue passengers self-reporting forms provided to all airlines.

“Nigeria has not yet placed any travel restrictions or ban. We strongly advise against non-essential travel to countries with high level of transition, such countries defined now as China, Japan, South Korea, Italy and Iran.

“We also require travellers from these countries to be in isolation for 14-days after entering Nigeria.

“This will be revised always according to the assessed level of risks. Travelers from these countries are not expected to undertake special measures, but to report immediately if there are any symptoms.”

He urged countries with high rate of COVID-19 transition to also conduct travels with screening and restrain travellers with obvious signs of being aware before boarding aircraft.

He stressed the need for yellow fever vaccination at points of entry as instructed by the World Health Organisation to help protect citizens.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. Muhammed Babandede, said visa had become instrumental not only to promoting economic and national development, but to ensuring security as well.

Babandede, who was represented by Mrs. Victoria Isagedigi, Assistant Comptroller in-charge of Visa and Residence Section of NIS, said visa served as a means of controlling immigration, securing territorial sovereignty, and growing the national economy.

He said that the Nigerian visa policy of 2012 was a good effort by the Federal Government to realign with realities of the ever changing social, economic, and political dynamics in the world.

“The policy evolved from restrictive and complicated entry formalities, to a liberalised and more investment-friendly policy tailored to become one of the most developed nations in Africa and the world.

“The Nigerian visa policy outlines the expectations of the Immigration Act of 2015 and Immigration Regulation of 2017 with respect to administration of visa in Nigeria.

“In view of the partial successes of the Nigerian visa 2012, there is the need to complete the implementation of this document and create the opportunity to reflect current global best practices,” Babandede said.

In a remark, Mr. Salaheddine Abbas Ibrahim, Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Cameroon High Commissioner to Nigeria, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for organising the event.

According to him, it is necessary for the diplomatic corps to know what has been done in Nigeria because since the first case of the coronavirus was confirmed in Nigeria, the situation has been put under surveillance.

“From the presentation by NIS, it was also important for us to know about it and convey to our residents the measures taken by the Nigerian government.

“We now know the type of documentation we have concerning diplomatic visas, when asking for visa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We now know the type of visa to ask for,” Ibrahim said.

Meanwhile, Amb. Zubairu Dada, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has commended the Minister of Health and his team for the efforts they have invested in containing the coronavirus and the sharing of information about the pandemic.

According to him, the Ministry of Health and the Foreign Affairs Ministry are always willing and ready to answer all enquiries on the COVID-19 in Nigeria.

“While looking forward to future sessions, we assure you that we will continue to work closely with you and share relevant information about the pandemic going forward,” Dada said.

Meanwhile, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has asked the Federal Government to suspend flights to and from countries with high prevalence of coronavirus.

Recall that the former vice president had asked the Federal Government to temporarily suspend flights from affected countries when Nigeria first recorded coronavirus.

The index case is a man who flew into the country from Milan, Italy. One of those who had contact with him has also tested positive, making two confirmed cases in the country.

In a statement on Thursday, Atiku said the economic impact of a widespread outbreak of the disease in Nigeria will be “catastrophic”, while calling on the government to err on the side of caution in order to prevent further spread.

The statement reads: “Two weeks ago, when Nigeria recorded its index case of the coronavirus, I had cause to urge the Federal Government to restrict flights from nations with a high prevalence of the Coronavirus plague. This is in line with global best practices.

“This is a patriotic call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to take every reasonable step to protect the citizens of Nigeria, by temporarily suspending flights to and from such countries, until we build up our ability to contain the coronavirus. Our borders should however be open to Nigerian citizens, regardless of their status.

“Despite the commendable efforts of our patriotic health officials, it will be recalled that to date, we are yet to identify and or locate multiple passengers who flew in with the index case from Italy. They could be anywhere. We must, therefore, err on the side of caution. We cannot afford to broaden the possibility of future infections.

“The economic impact of a widespread infestation of the virus in Nigeria will be catastrophic, and will affect our national security, and status as Africa’s leading economy. The ravages of this scourge, which has officially been classified as a global pandemic, must not be allowed to test our already fragile economy.”

He expressed his willingness to work with the government to ensure the safety of the country and its citizens.

“I urge that every political and any other differences be put aside. On my part, on this issue, I am first a Nigerian, and I am willing and ready to work with anybody, at any time, at whatever cost, to ensure the safety of this country, which is the only country we have to call our home, and her peoples.

“We must act now. We must put Nigeria and her citizens first. We must ensure that our national policy is deliberately tailored to protect our most excellent national resource, the great Nigerian people,” he said.