Authorities of the United Arab Emirates have prohibited their nationals from visiting Nigeria and some other countries as the country firms up it control of exposure to the raging variant of the Coronavirus.

This comes weeks after persons Nigeria including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and South Africa were recently banned from entering the UAE.

The development was announced in a joint statement by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, NCEMA.

MoFAIC and NCEMA urged citizens to comply with the rules including the precautionary measures against COVID-19, emphasising the need to self-isolate should they contact the virus.

However, UAE diplomatic missions in Nigeria and other suspended countries are free to enter the UAE on emergency treatment cases such as official delegations, and previously authorised business and technical delegates.

An excerpt of the statement reads, “infected Emiratis will be allowed to return to the UAE after getting the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities in the host country as well as the competent health departments in the UAE, while adhering to all the guidelines and health requirements needed to ensure their safe repatriation.

“Further, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation appeals to all citizens to register in the ‘Twajudi’ service before their travel to ensure that full support is provided during their travel period.”

In June, the UAE suspended flights to and from Lagos and Abuja with effect from June 21 until further notice.