The Federal Government on Monday added passengers from South Africa to the list of countries restricted for travellers due to the surge in the country’s COVID-19 infections.
The FG had in May banned passengers from Brazil, India, and Turkey due to the same reason.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this in Abuja during a media briefing.
Mustapha said the FG has also extended restrictions to travellers from Brazil, Turkey, and India for another four weeks, which he said would be reviewed after four weeks.
He said that South Africa 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),” Mustapha said.
“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.
“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 strain.
He said the committee would continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation in African countries, including South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Namibia and Uganda.
