Nigeria Announces Stricter Guidelines on Flights from UK, South Africa, Stops Short of Travel Ban

Nigeria will not issue flights bans against the UK and South Africa, countries where new variants of the coronavirus have been discovered.

But officials at the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 announced stricter guidelines on flights from both countries, including stringent monitoring of inbound direct flights and travelers.

Nigerians and foreigners are also required to do post-arrival tests seven days after arriving in the country, or risk having their passports and visas suspended or revoked.

A new, more contagious strain of Covid-19 was found in the UK, prompting travel bans and restrictions from several countries.

Another variant of the virus, also more transmissible, was discovered in South Africa and has been blamed for a new surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.

The African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday said yet another variant appears to have emerged in Nigeria but admitted that further investigation was needed.

It comes as the West African country is witnessing a resurgence and second wave of the disease, with daily reported cases at an all-time high.

States across the nation have announced measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.

Some of the measures include restrictions on religious gathering, social activities and suspension of street carnivals during Christmas.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has also ordered the closure of night clubs, pubs and other super spreader events for five weeks to tame the resurgent virus.

 Rita Osakwe

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