The Federal Government on Wednesday, announced that it has canceled already issued visas for travelers from 13 countries as part of measures to contain the pandemic Coronavirus.
Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, briefed State House correspondents at the sidelines of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He listed the countries as–China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, USA, UK, Netherlands and Switzerland.
The minister said that the visa cancellation was in addition to earlier announced entry restrictions for travelers from these countries.
DAILY POST had reported that the Nigerian government on Wednesday announced that it was restricting entry for travellers from 13 countries into Nigeria to reduce the risk of the virus spread
“The travel ban is to take effect on March 21st 2020.
“It is my task to let you know that in addition to the measures already announced by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the government of Nigeria is restricting entry into the country for travelers from the following 13 countries–China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, USA, UK, Netherlands and Switzerland.
“These are all countries with over 1000 cases domestically of the virus.
“But what this really means is that we are suspending issuance of visas and we are cancelling all visas already issued to citizens or travelers from these nations.
“It will take effect from Saturday and it will last for four weeks for the time being while developments will dictate what will happen thereafter,’’ he said.
He said that flights from those nations could no longer enter Nigeria with effect from March 21.
Aregbesola added that other measures were being considered which would be communicated through the ministry
