COVID-19: Finally, Nigeria shuts door to citizens from China, US, others; cancels visas

After dilly-dallying for weeks, the Federal Government has shut Nigeria’s borders and ports to citizens and persons from
China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Switzerland.
Recall that a second case of Coronavirus was found in a lady in her 30s leading to her been hospitalised in Lagos while members of her family who had contact with her during her period of self-isolation have been quarantined.
A national newspaper reported that the lady had contact with the wife of the Canadian Prime Minister who is receiving treatment for the disease that has grounded much of the United States, Europe, and top Asian countries.
A full statement by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus, on measures being taken by Nigeria to contain and manage the pandemic reads:
“You will recall that yesterday Tuesday 17‘h March, 2020 the Presidential Task Force on COVlD-19 set up by Mr. President was inaugurated and held its first briefing.
“2. You will also recall that the PTF at the end of the meeting announced the ban on all forms of travels by public officers and civil servants until further notice,
“3. This morning, we have found it necessary to brief Nigerians on further measures being taken after an assessment of the global situation. They are as follows:
i. The Federal Government of Nigeria is restricting entry into the country for travellers from the following thirteen (13) countries; China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Switzerland. These are all countries with over 1,000 case domestically;
ii. All persons arriving in Nigeria who might have visited these countries, fifteen days prior to such arrival, will be subjected to supervised self-isolation and testing for 14 days;
iii. The Federal Government is temporarily suspending the issuance of all visas on arrival;
iv. The Federal Government is also counseling all Nigerians to cancel or postpone all non-essential travels to these countries; and
v. The Federal Government urges Public Health Authorities of countries with high burden to conduct diligent departure screening of passengers and also endorses this travel advisories to their nationals to postpone travels to Nigeria.
“4. These restrictions will come into effect from Saturday, 21st March, 2020 for four (4) weeks subject to review”.