The federal government has warned Nigerians on the health risks attached to travelling to certain countries due to the prevalence of COVID-19.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha gave the advice during a Town Hall Meeting on COVID-19 vaccination for the North East Zone in Yola.
Represented by the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, Mustapha listed the countries as Brazil, India, and Turkey.
He said the travel warning became necessary so as to limit the chances of importing the COVID-19 strain present in the listed countries into Nigeria.
“Nigerians are strongly advised to avoid nonessential international travelling at this time especially to countries that are showing an increase in a 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,’’ Mustapha said.
He also called on the state governors to ensure compliance in their respective domains with all covid-19 guidelines issued.
”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,” he said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire noted that despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 infection, the government has put measures in place to combat the virus and its impact on the country.
He urged everyone to get vaccinated and protect themselves against the virus.
“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,’’ Ehanire said.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News