The Federal Government, yesterday, warned Nigerians planning to travel to
China to shelve such plans until when the Coronavirus epidemic ravaging that
country have been brought under control.
It also advised all persons arriving from China or any other country where
the epidemic had been detected to quarantine themselves by staying indoors for
at least two weeks.
This warning came just as the Federal Government said it has strengthened
surveillance at the five international airports in the country to prevent the
spread of Coronavirus.
The five international airports are in Enugu, Lagos, Rivers, Kano and
Abuja, the federal capital.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, gave the advice after the Federal
Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa, as part of
efforts to prevent spread of the disease in the country.
Addressing State House Correspondents on the epidemic, Ehanire urged
Nigerians to postpone their travel plans to China until all issues relating to
the outbreak of the Coronavirus have been adequately resolved.
“In view of the trending stories around the Coronavirus, it has become very
necessary to issue a travel advisory to Nigerians. The first is that all
Nigerians and all from Nigeria, intending to travel to China should delay all
their travel plans until further notice, except it is extremely essential for
them to do that trip.
“All persons arriving from China or any country that has a major outbreak
is advised, if they have no symptoms at all, to self-isolate, meaning that they
stay indoors in their homes for at least two weeks and if they develop any
symptoms, like cough, catarrh, sneezing, breathing difficulties within this
period, to report to the nearest health facility.
“We are also advising all airlines to report any case of a passenger
falling sick on-board before the plane lands. That is a requirement in the
agreement. Nigerian Port Health Services, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
are on alert at our airports and other points of entry. That is the advisory,”
he said.
According to reports, at least 132 people have already lost their lives to
the epidemic while more than 6,000 cases have been confirmed in mainland China,
as coronavirus spreads from the Wuhan Province of China across Asia and the
rest of the world.
