The Nigeria Governors Forum has rejected the ‘hasty’ inclusion of Nigeria in the Travel Red list by the United Kingdom and Canada due to the discovery of Omicron Variant of Covid-19 in the country.
The NGF says it views the action as precipitated, unfair and Discriminatory.
A statement from the secretariat of the Forum and signed by the Chairman, Kayode Fayemi says Omicron still remains relatively unknown globally as it is not yet clear whether it is more transmissible from person to person compared to other variants including Delta.
The Forum notes that It is discouraging knowing that there are several countries that have reported cases of Omicron similar to or higher than Nigeria’s, that have not been banned from entry to the UK or Canada.
According to figures released by the Governors, confirms Omicron cases as at December 3, across some countries are Nigeria 3, Australia 7 Brazil 3, Germany 9, Israel 4; Italy 9 and Netherlands16.
Also read: Nigerian Government protest against UK travel ban on its citizen over Omicron Variant
The Forum further notes that there is also no evidence that harsh, blanket travel bans will protect the countries that impose them.
The umbrella body for the Governors also states that it is ironical that this ban comes at a time when the DG of the WHO, Tedros Ghebreyesus, has advised that “rational proportional risk reduction measures” be taken by countries such as screening passengers prior to departure and/or upon arrival in a country, or enforcing a quarantine period.
The NGF therefore, urges the WHO to intervene in the matter by setting uniform standards that are acceptable to all for banning countries across the globe.
It urges World leaders and stakeholders in the West to remember that with the COVID-19 pandemic, until everyone is free, no one is free.
Editor: Hadiza.A.A
