COVID-19: Nigeria to warn citizens against travelling to India

NCDC announces 37 fresh cases of COVID-19

The Federal Government has expressed concern over the escalation of the new variant of COVID-19 in India, Brazil and Turkey disclosing its plan to issue a travel advisory within the next two days on inbound flights to those countries.

Speaking at a conference in Abuja yesterday, Head, Technical Secretariat of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, Dr, Mukhtar Muhammad urged Nigerians to keep observing all the regulations and instructions already provided to keep safe from the infection of COVID-19, warning that the third wave of the pandemic, going by how it has been sweeping through other parts of the world, is lurking around to enter Nigeria, especially as the nation has already reopened its economy to the world.

He said: “While we continue to reopen the economy, we must also be aware of the happenings around the globe. Mr. Chairman and Minister of Health have made reference to specific incidences in India, Turkey, Brazil and also South Africa.

“These were taken with serious concern and we continue to monitor what is going on in these countries. We sympathise with the people of these countries because it is really a very trying time particularly for India that is recording over 300,000 cases a day and accordingly over 2000 deaths.

“It is not easy. India is a prime destination for medical tourism for Nigeria. We know that many Nigerians like to travel to go to India, but now we see the situation that the country has found itself in. While we urge Nigerians to limit all travellers to only essential travel, particularly to these affected countries.

“We will continue to urge Nigerians to also comply with public health measures that are put in place to continue to ensure that we comply with the regulation.

“We actually empathise with those countries and what is happening in those climes. However, on our part, we are looking seriously into this issue. We are looking at other considerations that we need to provide.

“The health of Nigerians is of prime importance and whatever we need to do to protect Nigeria and to protect Nigerians from going into escalation of this current situation, the PSC will do that as necessarily.

“We will be providing some travel advise in the next 48, 72 hours with particular reference to both Nigerians and those coming into the country to help advise us.”

On the threat of a possible third wave, Muhammad said “We’re not saying this just for saying sake, but it is important to looking at what is going on around the globe to ensure that we protect our country. The fact that the number of cases in this country are not rising, it does not mean that we are immune or we are completely protected against COVID-19.”

“The third wave, the way we see it going on now, it’s only a matter of time. It is not a matter of if, but truly a matter of when it is going to occur. And therefore this measures that have been outlined, we must continue to ensure that we comply and make sure that we protect our public and our communities.”

On the Ramadan month, he advised the Muslim Ummah that “we are in the month of Ramadan and very soon will commence Salah celebration. Let us remember that COVID-19 is still here with us. And we have to take all the necessary precaution to ensure that we remain safe and also protect our loved ones.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 37 fresh cases of COVID-19 in 6 states bringing the number of infections so far to 164,756.

The health agency disclosed this on its official Twitter account yesterday.

According to the NCDC no death was recorded in the last 24 hours although the virus has claimed more than 2,000 lives in Nigeria.

The tweet reads: 37 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;

Lagos-26

Ogun-4

Kaduna-2

Rivers-2

Kwara-2

Edo-1

164,756 confirmed

154,963 discharged

2,062 deaths