Nigeria lifts travel restrictions on South Africa, Turkey, Brazil

Four months after it placed restrictions on travels to Turkey and Brazil, the Nigerian government on Wednesday announced it has removed the two countries from the list.

Also released from the restriction is South Africa.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said over several months, four countries were placed on high level restriction for travellers from such countries and that the PSC has, after a review of the developments in these countries, removed South Africa, Turkey, and Brazil from the restricted list.

The government had in May barred travellers from Brazil, India and Turkey due to rising COVID-19 cases in those countries. India was removed from the list last month.

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“As you are aware, the UK has eased restrictions on fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria to the UK with effect from 11th October. Nigeria welcomes this development and assures that the PSC shall continue to review Nigeria’s protocols based on global developments, science and national experience. A revised protocol will be issued in the next 24 hours,” he said.

He also said that two major religious festivities (Salah and Christmas) are approaching and the nation shall be experiencing increased passenger traffic in and out of the country, which can also witness large gatherings during the event.

“While PSC prepares to escalate surveillance and other control activities, we urge the states and all Nigerians to also increase their vigilance and take measure to moderate activities,” he said.

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