The federal government says it is not yet considering
placing COVID restrictions on travellers from China.
China has seen an increase in virus cases since the
government dropped its strict zero-COVID policies.
Despite concerns over surging cases, China said it would
scrap quarantine for in-bound travellers from January 8.
Italy on Wednesday made COVID tests mandatory for travellers
from China after about 50 percent of passengers on two flights from the Asian
country tested positive for COVID-19.
Other countries, including the United States, Japan, India,
South Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia, have also imposed mandatory COVID-19 tests
on travellers from China.
Speaking with TheCable on Friday, Mukhtar Mohammed, national
coordinator of the presidential steering committee (PSC), said the government
is not yet considering restrictions as there is no evidence to show that any
action needs to be taken.
He said there has been no difference in the positive cases
between people from China and those coming in from other countries.
“We do not just act because of what other countries are
doing. We have to look at the evidence, the science and the trends,” he said.
“We know that COVID has increased in China, and it was bound
to happen as they suddenly relaxed their zero-COVID policy.
“For us, we know that even though we relaxed our protocols,
we are not seeing any increase in the number of people who become sick with
COVID. Yes, the number of people with COVID is rising, but it is not leading to
hospitalisation or any significant mortality.
“We are monitoring the situation globally. If we have any
reason to act, we will not hesitate to take the necessary action to protect
Nigerians be it against any specific country or group of countries.
“We have not seen any
difference between people coming from China and people coming from other
countries. But if we see any red flags, we will be able to consider what to do.
So far, we have not seen any red flags to necessitate us to take action against
any country.”
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