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.
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.
“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. (NAN)
