Following the eventualities of the ravaging virus that has claimed over 1.3m people across the globe, Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has advised Nigerians abroad, who might be planning on coming home for the Christmas festivities to shelf the plan for now.
According to the force, the advice is part of strategies to minimize incoming travelers from other parts of the world, especially countries currently battling with new waves of COVID-19.
Dr. Sani Aliyu, National Coordinator of the task force who stated this during its weekly media briefing in Abuja, however, clarified that if the reason for coming home is essential, such travelers should be ready to observe all prescribed guidelines by the PTF, including pre-travel and post-travel testing as well as the observation of seven days self-isolation.
Aliyu strongly warned that Nigeria would not relax its COVID-19 guidelines and protocols because of the festivities, stressing that the country cannot afford another wave of COVID-19 as being seen in Europe and the Americas.
He said “We know that we are going into the Christmas period. The PTF is already looking at steps to minimize the surge in passengers’ numbers we see during this period.
“But this will primarily be by discouraging people from non-essential travels. If you do not need to travel, remain in the country during the period.
“If you are outside the country, now is not the time to start coming in on holiday. If you do have to come into the country on holiday, be aware that you have to do the mandatory seven days isolation before you show yourself anywhere within the country and you have to be tested and confirmed to be negative to exit self-isolation.
“We will not be relaxing the rules simply because it is holiday season”.
