Like Canada and Singapore, the United Kingdom has also imposed a travel restriction on citizens of Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the UK’s Secretary of State for Health, Sajid Javid, via his official Twitter account.
The decision was taken following an increase in the number of cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 across the world. The UK is the third country to impose a travel ban on Nigeria.
What the UK is saying
Javid stated, “In light of the most recent data, we are taking further action to slow the incursion of the Omicron variant. From 4am on Monday, only UK/Irish citizens and residents travelling from Nigeria will be allowed entry and must isolate in a managed quarantine facility.
“And from 4am on Tuesday, anyone travelling to the UK from countries not on the Red List will be required to take a pre-departure test, regardless of their vaccination status.
“Vaccines remain our first line of defence— the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. Please get vaccinated or #GetBoosted as soon as you can.”
Also, according to a press statement issued on the website of the UK government, Nigeria to be added to travel red list from 6 December and people travelling to UK from any country will need to take pre-departure test from 7 December
“Nigeria to be added to the travel red list from 4am Monday 6 December following 21 cases of Omicron reported in England which are linked to travel from this country, with 134 UK cases now reported in total,” the statement read.
It added that the temporary measures that have been introduced to prevent further Omicron cases from entering the UK, and will be examined at the three-week review point on 20 December.
In case you missed it
Last week, Nairametrics reported that Singapore and Canada slammed travel bans on Nigeria following the discovery of the new strain of the virus.
The NCDC, on Wednesday, had announced the presence of the new variant in Nigeria.
According to the Director-General of the centre, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, the cases were identified through the genomics sequencing of positive cases from travellers linked to South Africa.