The federal government has issued a travel advisory to Nigerians going to Brazil, India, Turkey, citing risks from COVID-19.

Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, disclosed this during a town hall meeting on COVID-19 vaccination for the North-East zone in Yola.

The PSC organised the meeting in collaboration with National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

Mr Mustapha, represented by the environment minister Abubakar Mohammed, said, “Nigerians are strongly advised to avoid non-essential international travelling at this time, especially to countries that are showing (an) increase in the number of COVID-19 deaths.

“Consequently, any person who had visited Brazil, India, and Turkey within 14 days preceding travel to Nigeria shall be denied entry into Nigeria. Among other travelling guidelines, individuals, transporters, and airlines who abuse the guidelines shall be sanction.’’

He explained that the PSC was monitoring with keen interest the rise in cases of COVID-19 abroad.

”All governors are also advised to ensure that all returned international passengers in their respective states adhere strictly to the mandatory seven-day isolation period,” said Mr Mustapha.

The PSC chairman added that the cardinal objective of the meeting was to provide means for the government, communities, and other relevant stakeholders to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination in the country.

Mr Mustapha noted that the records available showed that the daily incident of COVID-19 in the country had reduced.

(NAN)