Abuja, Nigeria – The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 in Nigeria has introduced new travel requirements for passengers coming into the country from the United Kingdom and South Africa in order to prevent the importation of the new strain of the Coronavirus disease which has been reported to be on rampage into two countries already.
The national coordinator of the Task Force, Dr. Sani Aliyu stated this at a briefing in Abuja that effective from Monday, December 28th 2020, passengers coming into Nigeria on a direct flight from the two countries will now require a permit after filling an online form on the Nigerian International Travel portal before they will be allowed to board.
“Specifically for the UK and South Africa, the PTF has met and we have decided that additional mechanisms will be required to ensure the safety of our citizens”, Aliyu noted.
Aliyu also noted that the registration process will require completion of a health questionnaire, upload of a negative PCR test result with a validity of not more than five days and they will have to make payment for a Covid PCR test on arrival in Nigeria.
Aliyu also noted that two documents are important for passengers travelling from those countries to Nigeria which will be presented at the airport. He explained the importance of the documents which he listed as a negative test result and a permit to travel document.
This is only a part of the decisions taken at the resumed sitting of the presidential task force which met to give recent updates on the covid-19 pandemic across the nation.
The recent rise of the coronavirus disease in the country appears to be a major concern for the task force.
On Covid-19 pandemic update, The PTF noted that the numbers of infection and fatality cases among young people have continued to rise in Nigeria just as more inbound passengers test positive to Covid-19.
“We have continued to see a significant increase in the number of cases across the country and over 50% of our cases are young people aged 21-40”, says Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Director General of the National Centre for Disease Control.
“We have continued to see a significant increase in the number of cases across the country and over 50% of our cases are young people aged 21-40,” said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.
So far, Nigeria has recorded over 80,000 cases of Covid-19 from the 912,114 samples tested and have lost over 1200 lives to the virus.
Speaking at the briefing, the Chairman of the Taskforce, Mr. Boss Mustapha urged state governments not to close down the isolation and treatment centres but continue to run them effectively and efficiently.
The rate of infection of the virus slowed down a few months ago but the country has recently began to witness some increase in infections and as the festive season is ongoing, the task force cautions on the need for personal preventive measures.
Governor Sanwo-Olu recovers from Covid-19
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has recovered from Covid-19 after testing negative to the disease.
Governor Sanwo-olu who described his battle with the disease as a big bout reiterated the need to observe the laid down Covid-19 preventive measures and submit to a test as soon as symptoms appear.
“There are no two experiences that are the same. Regarding my own personal experience, I had a big bout and I must tell you it was not mild. It was more than asymptomatic and I felt it really”, Sanwo-olu said.
Sanwo-olu have also asked establishments to adopt a no face mask, no entry policy and says it will bring the full weight of the law to bare on those flaunting the Covid-19 rules.
He also hinted that there will be no room for the usual cross-over service held by churches and religious bodies in Lagos state.
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