Coronavirus: US Embassy Closed Lagos Office Temporarily

• Coronavirus: US Embassy Closed Lagos Office Temporarily

The United States embassy in Lagos Nigeria has been temporarily closed, according to the Consular.

In a statement released on Thursday, the embassy said “Until further notice, applicants are encouraged to contact the Consular Office in Abuja for immediate emergency travel. Applicants with emergency travel must provide a travel itinerary. Please monitor the Facebook and Webpage of the U.S. Embassy for updates on consular operations. Scheduled visa and ACS applicants for Lagos will be contacted for rescheduling.

“American citizens in southern Nigeria with urgent travel needs who are to re-schedule their travel through Abuja should contact the ACS office at Embassy Abuja to discuss their options. Those traveling after March 13, 2020, should follow-up with LagosACS@state.gov to confirm their appointments closer to their appointment date.

“American citizens in southern Nigeria with emergency services needs should continue to contact the after-hours emergency number for Lagos to request assistance.”

While the embassy did not state reasons for the temporary shut down, it is likely due to the fast-spreading coronavirus and the fact that Lagos is home to Nigeria’s most active international airport, the entry of the index case.

On Wednesday, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced a flight ban on European nations, except the United Kingdom and Ireland, after cases of coronavirus rose to over 1,2000 in the country.

Another report noted that the National Association of Basketball, USA, has suspended the remaining games of the season after a Utah Jazz player, Rudy Gobert, tested positive to coronavirus on Wednesday.

The series of latest developments might have prompted the US embassy in Lagos to shut down Lagos office as a control measure, especially after WHO declared the virus global pandemic on Wednesday.