The Federal Government of Nigeria has warned its citizens against travelling to China, due to the current outbreak of the deadly Wuhan Coronavirus in the Asian country.

Travellers coming to Nigeria from China or any other country where the infection has been confirmed, were also advised to put themselves in quarantine conditions by staying indoors for at least two weeks.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who demanded such conditions, after holding a meeting at the Presidential Villa of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), also instructed all airlines to report any incident of a passenger falling sick on-board their flight before the plane lands.

He said;

In view of the trending stories around the Coronavirus, it has become very necessary to issue a travel advisory to Nigerians. The first is that all Nigerians and all from Nigeria, intending to travel to China should delay all their travel plans until further notice, except it is extremely essential for them to do that trip.

All persons arriving from China or any country that has a major outbreak is advised, if they have no symptoms at all, to self-isolate, meaning that they stay indoors in their homes for at least two weeks and if they develop any symptoms, like cough, catarrh, sneezing, breathing difficulties within this period, to report to the nearest health facility.

We are also advising all airlines to report any case of a passenger falling sick on-board before the plane lands. That is a requirement in the agreement. Nigerian Port Health Services, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control are on alert at our airports and other points of entry. That is the advisory.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.