By Lawrence Olaoye
Following the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus in China, the federal government has issued a travel advisory for Nigerians either traveling to or from that country.
Briefing newsmen after the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said
“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.”
According to the minister, the advisory also applies to Chinese wishing to come into Nigeria.
