Coronavirus: FG extends travel ban on Brazil, Turkey, India by 4 weeks

The Federal Government, through the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Covid-19, has announced the extension of the ban on flights from Brazil, Turkey and India by 4 weeks.

This follows the Federal Government’s review of the earlier ban on flights from these countries and the decision for extension of the restriction in order to help stop the possible importation of different and dangerous variants of the Covid-19 pandemic that are still prevalent in these countries.

This disclosure was made by the Chairman of PSC on Covid-19, who also doubles as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, at the national briefing of the committee on Monday in Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

Mustapha, while speaking, said, “A few weeks ago, we announced additional measures to be met by passengers arriving from Brazil, Turkey and India. This action was due to the prevalence of variants of concern and the dangers associated with the importation of such virulent strains.”

The Chairman of PSC said the committee has been reviewing these restrictions and is of the opinion that they should remain for another 4 weeks before it is further reviewed adding that South Africa has once more been added to this category.

Mustapha revealed that South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Namibia and Uganda were being monitored as the Covid-19 cases were increasing there.

“In addition to these three countries, the PSC has also shifted its focus on some African countries. South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Namibia and Uganda fall in this category.

South Africa for example, recorded over 100,000 cases in the last one week while 20,000 was recorded in the last 24 hours. The four major variants of concern are now classified as Alpha (UK), Beta (SA); Gamma (Brazil) and Delta (India).

The Delta variant which has wreaked devastating havoc is not yet found in Nigeria hence the need to tighten our borders and be more vigilant,” he said.

He also disclosed that inbound passengers to Nigeria, who were barred for a period of 6 months, following the violation of the Covid-19 protocols have been making appeals to the Federal Government.