BREAKING: Buhari Government Reacts As UK Moves To Remove Nigeria From Omicron Red List Wednesday
The Nigerian government has reacted to the news that Britain will lift the ban on Nigeria and other nations from flying to the UK owing to incidences of the Omicron version of the Covid-19 virus in those countries on Wednesday.
Dr. James Odaudu, the Director of Public Affairs for the Federal Ministry of Aviation, observed this on Tuesday, calling it a positive development.
Odaudu, on the other hand, stated that the Nigerian government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, has yet to receive any official contact from Britain on the matter.
“The news of the withdrawal of Nigeria from the red list is a welcome development.
“It is a relief to the aviation industry. However, we are yet to receive any official communication from Britain on the new development,” he said.
According to reports, the UK would remove Nigeria and ten other nations, including South Africa, from its red list on Wednesday as a result of the outbreak and spread of Coronavirus’ new version, Omicron.
Nigeria was added to the UK’s red list of nations where non-British citizens were not allowed to fly into on December 5.
After the government acknowledged that Omicron was now a worldwide issue, the decision to remove Nigeria and others from the red list was made.
Sajid Javid, the UK health secretary, said on Tuesday that the Omicron type “has spread so broadly across the world” that the travel red list is now “less effective.”
Sebastian Payne, a British journalist, also tweeted on Tuesday, “UK empties the red list.” Officials from the Whitehall have confirmed that the 11 countries (including South Africa) will be relocated starting at 4 a.m. tomorrow. The Covid-O meeting is coming up soon. Ministers acknowledge that the proliferation of Omicron makes prohibitions ‘pointless.’
Following concerns about the Omicron version, the United Kingdom added Nigeria to its travel blacklist last week.
According to Catriona Laing, the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, the UK made the decision to protect the public health of its citizens while the government attempted to grasp the new variety.
