Nigeria Plans New Travel Restrictions Over COVID-19 Deaths In India, Brazil, Turkey

The Nigerian Government is set to announce new travel restrictions following an upsurge in Coronavirus deaths in India, Brazil, and Turkey, as well as other hard-hit countries.
Recent developments in the three countries where the death toll keeps rising owing to the latest variants of Covid-19 may compel Nigeria to issue travel advisory on international flights coming from these countries in the next 48 to 72 hours. 
Although the country has recorded zero deaths in the past few dates, it has been observed that the Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19 is already expressing fears that the 3rd wave of the pandemic might hit the country anytime soon hence the need to maintain the non-pharmaceutical measures protocols.
The Head of the Secretary of Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Dr. Mukhtar Mohammed, said this at Monday’s media briefing in Abuja.
According to Mohammed, “the fact that the number of cases in Nigeria is not rising, does not mean that we are immune or we are completely protected against COVID-19.”
He said: “While we continue to reopen the economy, we must also be aware of the happenings around the globe. Mr. Chairman and Honourable Minister of Health have made reference to specific incidences in India, Turkey, Brazil, and also South Africa. 
“These were taken with serious concern and we continue to monitor what is going on in these countries. We sympathize with the people of these countries because it is really a very trying time particularly for India, which is recording over 300,000 cases a day. And according to over 2000 deaths. 
“It is not easy. India is a prime destination for medical tourism for Nigeria. We know that many Nigerians like to travel to India, but now we see the situation that the country has found itself in. While we urge Nigerians to limit all travelers to only essential travel, particularly to these affected countries.
“We will continue to urge Nigerians to also comply with public health measures that are put in place to continue to ensure that we comply with the regulation. 
“We actually empathize with those countries and what is happening in those climes. However, on our part, we are looking seriously into this issue. We are looking at other considerations that we need to provide. 
“The health of Nigerians is of prime importance and whatever we need to do to protect Nigeria and to protect Nigerians from going into an escalation of this current situation, the PSC will do that as necessary. 
“We will be providing some travel advise  in the next 48, 72 hours with particular reference to both Nigerians and those coming into the country to help advise us.”