UK lists Nigeria as a country to be avoided except for essential travel due to Covid-19 risk

BRITAIN has published new travel guidelines for its citizens in which it has listed Nigeria as one of the countries to be avoided except for essential travel at the moment due to the high risk of exposure to the Covid-19 virus.

Like most other nations, the UK and Nigeria prohibited all international travel during the height of the coronavirus pandemic but over recent weeks have eased many of these restrictions. In the UK, international airports like Heathrow and Gatwick have been reopened but the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is warning against travel to certain countries.

Despite the fact that Nigeria has been spared the worst of the pandemic with only 44,433 cases so far, with just 910 fatalities, the country is still on the warning list. In the UK, the total number of infected people is 306,293, while the number of deaths that have occurred from the virus totals 46,299, giving the country the second highest ratio of fatalities in the world of 682 individuals per 1m people.

In travel advice given on its website, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said individuals entering or returning to the UK from Nigeria will be required to follow additional UK border measures, which includes self-isolation for 14 days. It added that if  travel is essential, travellers should discuss their plans with a health professional, especially those at higher risk of severe Covid-19.

Also, the Foreign office admonished intending travellers to consider the risk at all destinations, including any transit countries and the risk during travel itself. Furthermore, the government also urged them to check with the airline/tour operators about physical distancing measures or other measures in place to reduce risk during travel.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “Follow the latest social distancing guidance, including any local requirements and maintain good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene at all times. This may be particularly important if staying with friends and family.”