omicron variant - 626Blaze

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika revealed the federal government will make sure countries like UK, Saudi Arabia and Canada that put Nigeria on the Covid-19 Omicron variant redlist will be restricted from travelling into the country.

The minister also apologised to Nigerians who have been affected by the travel ban and noted the decision of the FG to reciprocate the ban is in the interest of the country.

he said;

“There is also the case of Saudi Arabia that put Nigeria on the ban list. On Sunday, I participated in a meeting with the COVID-19 task force,” NAN quoted the minister as saying.
We have given our input that it is not acceptable by us, and we recommended that those Canada, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina also be put on the red list.
As they did to us if they do not allow our citizens into their countries; who are they coming, as airlines, to pick from our country?
They are not supposed to come in. I am very sure in the next three days; Monday or Tuesday, all those countries will be put on the red list of COVID-19.”

The Minister on an interview with Channels Tv, revealed the Federal government is not happy with the hastiness and rationale for putting of Nigeria on its red list following the detection of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

Dr Osagie Ehanire stated that the step the Uk government is taking is not helpful, because there hasn’t been report of any severe illness or fatalities and not much is known about the Covid-19 Variant.

He said;

“We were not very happy when six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa were placed on a red list and the WHO also advised against putting each on the red list.
“From what we know about the COVID-19, there are many ways to manage it, and besides, not much is still known about the Omicron variant. We know, for example, that there have been no fatalities. There have also been no reports of very severe illness. Actually, the rationale for being so hasty in putting countries on the red list is not something that is very helpful. It is going to disrupt commerce. It is going to disrupt family reunions. If every country were going to put other countries on the ban list, very soon you would have a large number of countries on your red list. So, I do believe there are other ways of going about it. We in Nigeria do not regard banning flights and movements of people as particularly helpful and supportive.”