The Federal Government of Nigeria has closed it’s doors on 13 high-risk Coronavirus countries, including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Italy and China.
Briefing newsmen today, March 18 in Abuja, health minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire also named the countries with high burden of coronavirus that are included in the travel ban as Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany and Norway as well as Netherlands and Switzerland.
The minister said that the ban would take effect from Friday, March 20 and last for four weeks subject to review.
The government also announced the temporary suspension of all visas issued to nationals from these countries.
Meanwhile five new cases of coronavirus has been confirmed in Lagos state today, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to eight.
three of the five cases arrived from the United States, while two arrived from the United Kingdom.
Detailed information is still being obtained but based on the available information, two of the three travelers from the USA are Nigerian (a mother and her six weeks old baby, the youngest corona virus patient we have) and the third is an American National who crossed the land border as a biker.
Yesterday, the Government of Nigeria held the inaugural meeting of a Presidential Task Force that constitutes nine Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. WHO is a member of the Task Force.
The Task Force issued the following:
1. Travel restrictions on entry into the country for travelers from 13 high risk countries (China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, USA, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland).
2. Temporary suspension on all visas issued to nationals from these countries.
3. Prohibition of international travel by public servants.
4. Travel advisory to the public against non-essential travel to high burden countries.
5. Firm self-isolation for 14 days for all persons returning from abroad.
