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The United Kingdom (UK), on Saturday night announced the imposition of a travel ban on Nigeria, following an increase in the number of cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 across the world.
UK’s Secretary of State for Health, Sajid Javid, disclosed this via his official Twitter account .
According to Javid, UK and Irish citizens who will be travelling from Nigeria would be allowed into the country after quarantining for a certain period.
“In light of the most recent data, we are taking further action to slow the incursion of the Omicron variant. From 4am on Monday, only UK/Irish citizens and residents travelling from Nigeria will be allowed entry and must isolate in a managed quarantine facility.
“And from 4am on Tuesday, anyone travelling to the UK from countries not on the Red List will be required to take a pre-departure test, regardless of their vaccination status.
“Vaccines remain our first line of defence— the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. Please get vaccinated or #GetBoosted as soon as you can,” Javid said.
UK is the third country to impose a travel ban on Nigeria after Indonesia and Canada.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) had on Wednesday announced the presence of the Omicron variant in Nigeria.
According to NCDC Director General, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, the cases were identified through the genomics sequencing of positive cases from travellers linked to South Africa.