COVID-19: FG bars passengers from Brazil, India, Turkey

The Federal Government has barred travelers from Brazil, India and Turkey over rising COVID-19 cases there.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said this in a statement Sunday.

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He said the ban, which would take effect from tomorrow, shall be subjected to review after an initial period of four weeks.

“Non-Nigerian passport holders and non-residents who visited Brazil, India or Turkey within days preceding travel to Nigeria shall be denied entry into Nigeria.

“This regulation, however, does not apply to passengers who transited through these countries,” Mustapha said.

He also listed measures that would apply to defaulting airlines and passengers as including a penalty of $3,500 for each defaulting passenger.

He said: “Non-Nigerians will be denied entry and returned to the country of embarkation at cost to the airline. Nigerians and those with permanent resident permit who visited Brazil, India or Turkey within 14 days preceding travel to Nigeria shall be made to undergo seven days of mandatory quarantine in a government approved facility at the point-of-entry city and at cost to the passenger.

“The following condition shall apply to such passengers: Within 24 hours of arrival shall take a COVID-19 PCR test.

“If positive, the passenger shall be admitted within a government-approved treatment centre, in line with national treatment protocols.

“If negative, the passenger shall continue to remain in quarantine and made to undergo a repeat PCR test on day 7 of their quarantine.”

He warned that passengers who provided false or misleading contact information would be liable to prosecution; while those willfully disregarding or refusing to comply with directions of port-health staff, security agencies or evade quarantine shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“State governments are required to ensure that all returning travelers from all countries are monitored to ensure adherence to the mandatory seven-day self-isolation period and the repeat COVID-19 PCR test on the seventh day after arrival.”