Nigerians have again been warned against travelling to India, Brazil and Turkey, at least, for now.
Issuing the travel advisory in Yola during a Town Hall Meeting on Covid-19 vaccination for the North-East in Adamawa State, the Federal Government cited the risks from the pandemic.
The warning was given by the Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Covid-19, Boss Mustapha, who was represented by Environment Minister, Abubakar Mohammed.
The meeting was organised by the PSC in collaboration with National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
Mustapha, who doubles as Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), said Nigeria has the responsibility to safeguard the health of its people and block any chance to spread the Covid-19 in the country.
He said, “Nigerians are strongly advised to avoid non-essential international travelling at this time, especially to countries that are showing increase in number of Covid-19 deaths.”
“Consequently, any person who had visited Brazil, India and Turkey within 14 days preceding travel to Nigeria shall be denied entry into Nigeria.
“Among other travelling guidelines, individuals, transporters and airlines who abuse the guidelines shall be sanction.”
He explained that the PSC has been monitoring with keen interest the rise in cases of Covid-19 abroad.
The SGF said, “The Federal Government deeply sympathises with the government and citizens of those countries and assured them of unflinching support and solidarity.
“All governors are also advised to ensure that all returned international passengers in their respective states adhere strictly to the mandatory seven days isolation period.”
The PSC chairman said the cardinal objective of the meeting was to provide means for the government, communities and other relevant stakeholders to discuss Covid-19 vaccination.
Mustapha noted that records available showed that the daily incident of Covid-19 in the country has reduced.
The Health Minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the pandemic has proven to be the greatest health threat to the present generation.
Ehanire added that the impact of Covid-19 on country’s health, economic and social services have been so overarching, that it calls for all hands to be on the deck to focus on solutions to the disease.
“This meeting today is the second in the series of town hall interactions across the country to afford the opportunity to rub minds with elders and arrive at a messaging strategy for citizen engagement in ongoing vaccination to protect Nigerians against Covid-19 pandemic.
“Since Nigeria recorded its first Covid-19 case in February, 2020, the Federal Government has put measures in place to protect lives and mitigate the devastating effect of community transmission.”
He noted that Nigeria has lost over 2,000 lives and its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has fallen by 23 per cent due to slowdown of global economic activity as a result of Covid-19.
Also speaking, Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaibu, said that the town hall was organised to share mutual concerns, reach a consensus and take responsibilities in ongoing efforts to protect the citizens against the pandemic.
He said, “This Town Hall meeting is in line with the principles of pro-active community engagement, transparency and accountability of the PSC, under the leadership of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha.
“Our gathering here today is anchored on our core principles and conviction that it is not enough to offer vaccines to Nigerians.
“But that we must also empower the people with the correct information required for them to make informed decisions about getting vaccinated against Covid-19.”