FG Plans to Ban Citizens of Certain Nations from Entering Nigeria

The Federal Government on Monday announced that it would ban citizens of certain countries with high rates of COVID-19 from entering the country to better protect the nation from the ravaging pandemic.

Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, disclosed this in Abuja during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

According to him, this was why the federal government had not reopened commercial international flights into and out of the country.

He said, “On the question about when we are beginning international travels, certainly you are very aware that so many countries had placed ban on countries that we cannot go even from Nigeria.

“Also Nigeria, of course, will place ban on other countries that cannot come in here, because everyone is trying to keep safe.”

He added, “These and many other reasons will make us to be cautious, to study some more and to liaise with all the stakeholders and decide when we will open for international flights.”

The minister said while airline operators are pushing for full operation both locally and internationally, safety remains government priority when making such decisions.

Sirika said, “In aviation, we want to open like yesterday because we are losing money; we are bleeding. But we must stay alive first before we are able to make money.”

He added domestic flight operations at the nation’s airports were being staggered to avoid crowding and better enforce safety rules.