Coronavirus: Nigeria issues advisory on travelling to China

The Nigerian Government has urged Nigerians nursing travel plans to China to jettison the idea until further notice, except under an extremely essential circumstance.

The government also advised all persons arriving from China or any country that has a major disease outbreak to self-isolate by staying indoors in their homes for at least two weeks.

This came Wednesday after Federal Executive Council Council (FEC) meeting as part of the FG’s efforts to prevent the spread of the disease by returnees and other foreigners from that country.

Earlier, the Federal Government assured Nigerians of its readiness to strengthen surveillance at five international airports in the country to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

The five international airports are in Enugu, Lagos, Rivers, Kano and the FCT.

Addressing State House correspondents after nine hours of Council deliberations presided over by President Mohammadu Buhari, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire urged Nigerians delay their travel plans to that country until all issues relating to the outbreak of the coronavirus are adequately addressed.

Reports have it that at least 132 people are already dead and more than 6,000 cases have been confirmed in mainland China, as the Wuhan coronavirus spreads across Asia and other parts of the world.

“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,” Ehanire said.

“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.”