Coronavirus: Health Ministry advises Nigerians on China travel

President Muhammadu Buhari

Kunle Ilyasu

 The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire has advised Nigerians and non-Nigerians going to China to suspend trips, if possible, until further notice owing the Coronavirus that is threatening the peace of the Asian nation.

He also said Federal Government will not stop travelers from China from entering the country once they have been screened at the airport.

Mr Ehanire made this known while briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja Wednesday said the Federal Government is issuing the caution due to the spread of new virus across countries.

He said it has become necessary to issue a travel advisory to Nigerians “as this is one of the ways to prevent the exportation of the disease into the country.”

The minister advised all intending travelers to China to delay their travel plans “except it is extremely essential for them to do that trip”.

He also added that “all persons arriving from China or any country that has a major outbreak, even if they have no symptoms at all, to self isolate, meaning that they stay indoors in their homes for at least two weeks”.

“… and if they develop any symptoms, like cough, catarrh, sneezing, breathing difficulties within this period, to report to the nearest health facility,” he added.

Meanwhile, the minister asked Nigerians to remain calm as the NCDC is coordinating surveillance activities in the country.

He said “we are also advising all airlines to report any case of a passenger falling sick on-board before the plane lands.

“That is a requirement in the agreement. Nigerian Port Health Services, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control are on alert at our airports and other points of entry.”

Mr Ehanire said though the government does not have statistics on the number of Chinese returning to this country, “Those returning are free to come into the country to work if they have met with the conditions stated earlier.”

 “I also want to remind you that there are very many Nigerians in China who will be coming home, not only Chinese and other people who have work to do in Nigeria from that area. We are not using your nationality as a criterion, we are using your state of health,” he said.

It could be recalled that Public health agencies around the world have been on high alert since the report of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China.

The outbreak, which started from Wuhan province in December and as at January 28, has spread across all provinces except one in the country.

The disease has also been exported to about 15 countries and there are uncertainties as to how many countries would be reporting confirmed cases of the disease any time soon.

Based on the ferocity of the spread of the disease, most cities in China are already on lockdown and millions of people in the country have been quarantined.

As at last count, the death toll from the disease in China has risen to 106 and more cases are still being reported.

The sporadic spread also made many countries intensify surveillance at the various borders and points of entry, especially airports.