- Bans travellers from US, UK, China, 10 others
The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) has confirmed five new cases of COVID-19 in within the last 36 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to eight.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who made this known in a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja said: “Of the 5 new positive cases, 3 arrived from the United States, while 2 came in from the United Kingdom.
“We are still collating information on the travellers; 2 of the 3 from the US are Nigerians, a mother and child, making the 6 weeks old baby the youngest COVID-19 patient we have, and the 3rd is an American national, who crosses the land border and became the first COVID-19 case not arriving by air.
“The 2 cases from the UK are Nigerians. A detailed travel history of each person is being compiled and contacts currently being traced, to identify persons who have recently been in contact with anyone.
“The National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and supported by partners, is supporting response in the states. The Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Health is conducting risk assessment to help guide decision making”.
He therefore, urged Nigerians not to panic, but allow experts in public health to guide response in a calculated, scientific manner.
“False information and rumour to cause fear and panic must be avoided at such times. The COVID-19 cases so far appear to have mild symptoms and are in recovery.
“To protect yourselves and your families, I urge everyone to continue to take care and caution as advised. Government will do the needful to protect citizens’ health,” he said.
He explained that the Presidential Task Force for the Control of Coronavirus (COVID-19), yesterday announced the prohibition of all travel by public servants and the suspension of the visa on arrival policy till further notice.
He also added that, the Presidential taskforce has issued a firm travel advisory against non-essential travel to high burden countries, especially in view of the number of Nigerians who arrived from US and Europe and diagnosed in the past 48 hours with coronavirus infection
Other announcement by the taskforce are: “A requirement that all persons returning from overseas should self-isolate for observation for 14-days, even if they feel well. NCDC will disseminate information on the practice;
“Supervised self-isolation, including testing, of persons returning from nations with community transmission of more than 1,000 cases cumulatively, for 14 days by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Port Health Services;
“And the Federal Government will restrict entry to Nigeria of persons from the listed high burden countries with effect from Friday March 20, for a period of 4 weeks”.
Recall that earlier this week, the FG added three more countries – Spain, Germany and France, as high-risk and passengers to undergo thorough screening at our points of entry. The five other countries are China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Japan.
Enahire reminded Nigerians to maintain hand hygiene and standard respiratory etiquette
Meanwhile, the government has also issued a travel ban on 13 countries over the spread of the Coronavirus.
The countries include China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, United States of America, Norway, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Switzerland.
The restrictions are part of the government’s efforts to avoid the pitfalls that greeted by late response of countries that now have high cases and widespread of the Coronavirus, which the health authorities are now battling to control.
The restrictions, which come into effect from Saturday, March 21, 2020, is expected to last for four weeks in the first instance.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force PTF COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja.
He announced that “ Federal Government is temporarily suspending
the issuance of all visas on arrival”
He disclosed that the Federal Government of Nigeria is restricting entry into
the country for travellers from the following thirteen (13) countries; China,
Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, the United
States of America, the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Switzerland. These are
all countries with over 1,000 case domestically;
“You will recall that yesterday Tuesday, March 17, 2020 the Presidential Task Force on COVlD-19 set up by Mr. President was inaugurated and held its first briefing.
The PTF hard earlier at the end of its first meeting announced the ban on all forms of travels by public officers and civil servants until further notice,
“This morning, we have found it necessary to brief Nigerians on further measures being taken after an assessment of the global situation. They are as follows:
“ All persons arriving in Nigeria who might have visited these countries, 0fteen days prior to such arrival, will be subjected to supervised self-isolation and testing for 14 days;
“The Federal Government is also counseling all Nigerians to cancel or postpone all non-essential travels to these countries; and
“Federal Government urges Public Health Authorities of countries with high burden to conduct diligent departure screening of passengers and also endorses this travel advisories to their nationals to postpone travels to Nigeria.
“These restrictions will come into effect from Saturday, 21st March, 2020 for four (4) weeks subject to review.
The SGF had at the end of the first meeting of the group last night announced travel ban for all public officers
“ After due considerations of the trend and spread of the novel diseases, COVID-19 and the subsequent declarations of the diseases as Pandemic by the World Health Organisation WHO, the committee has committee has subsequently urge that We upscale our emergency response system to the highest level and put in measures to stop further spread of the Disease.
Nigeria has recorded three cases with two testing positive and one negative so far
Mustapha said “ we will want to make sure that it does not go beyond this minor figures for now”
“ So, on the part of government, we have decided to advice that it has become necessary for public officers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, including the parastatals that government has banned all forms of travels out of the country for whatever reasons whether for meetings, including bilateral, multilateral, conferences, seminars, workshops, consultations, negotiations and any form of other ceremonies”
The SGF was emphatic that these bans will remain in force until further notice, until the situation of the pandemic nature of the disease abates.
“ By this notice, any prior approvals to travel abroad during this period is accordingly rescinded”
With regards to the general public, we would want to advice strongly that citizens in their own interest should cancel , or postpone all non- essential travels abroad, including business and vacation trips, especially to countries affected by the disease
He also advised those “ entering Nigeria from any country at all to strictly self isolate for at least 14 days at home.
He advised NCDC to ensure that its guidelines for self isolation are widely publicized, even as he urged Nigerians to observed strict regulations on public hygiene, for sneezing, coughing hand shakes, amongst others.
Government also urged Nigerians to restrict unnecessary engagements that will lead to large public gatherings, while maintaining sound public hygiene
The PTF COVID-19 has an initial timeline of six (6) months and as part of its mandate, the team is expected to roll out policies that will strengthen “the national response strategy, particularly in the areas of testing, containment and management of COVID-19; Strengthen collaboration with all tiers of Government, Private Sector, Faith-Based Organizations, Civil Societies, Donors and Partners; as well as create necessary awareness among the populace.
The task force also has the powers to “ direct the deployment of any relevant national assets, and when necessary, Lay a foundation for scientific and medical research to address all emerging infectious diseases.
The task force is also saddled with responsibilities to advice government on the declaration of national emergency as part of the containment measures when necessary.
The SGF said the team is expected to report on regular basis to the President.
“ In order to give the activities of the Task Force proper focus, Mr. President also, approved the appointment of a National Coordinator who will manage the daily process, in collaboration with existing institutions and structures. The National Coordinator will be responsible for cohesion and efficiency in the roles played by the different agencies, operating in the treatment of the national response strategy,” he said
The Federal government on Wednesday placed a travel ban on countries that have recorded over 1000 cases of coronavirus.
Such countries include China, the United States, Italy, Iran and South Korea.