Omicron Variant: UK Bans Flights From Nigeria Amid COVID Crisis

• The United Kingdom has banned all flights from Nigeria after three cases of the COVID Omicron variant were discovered in the country

• The UK Mission in Nigeria disclosed that the ban will kickstart from 4 am on 6 December

• The imposed travel ban comes just a few days after the Canadian government did the same thing after travelers infected with the variant arrived from Nigeria

The United Kingdom has followed the step of Canada and Singapore and imposed a travel ban on Nigeria.

The UK’s Secretary of State for Health, Sajid Javid confirmed the ban via his official Twitter account on Saturday.

The decision wa made amid an increase in the number of COVID 19 Omicron variant cases in the world.

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC has also confirmed the presence of the COVID strain in Nigeria among 3 people.

A statement released by the UK Mission also reads:

“From 4 am on 6 December, Nigeria will be added to the red list for international travel to England.”

The release however states that the UK and Irish citizens and residents arriving from Nigeria will be allowed into the country but they must isolate in a government-approved facility for 10 days.

The ban doesn’t affect those who are staying airside and only transmitting through the country.

Read also: WHO Issues Strong COVID 19 Warning

While England has recorded 27 cases already, Nigeria is second to South Africa in terms of cases linked to the Omicron variant.

David also seized the opportunity to urge people to get vaccinated, calling it the first line of defense against the virus.

Follow Naija.fm on our social media handles Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up with trending news, breaking news, entertainment news, and hot gist.