CoronaVirus Updates
Returning Nigerians to pay for 2 weeks quarantine
BY NICHOLAS ABE
Nigerians abroad returning home in this COVID-19 era will henceforth pay for their two-week quarantine bill before they can be evacuated, according to the revised guidelines.
Before now, returnees were only required to pay for their flight while the government took care of their two weeks stay in isolation.
Returnees from United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United States and the United Kingdom who are currently kept in Lagos and Abuja hotels are being taken care of by the government.
But the new guidelines which Embassies and High Commissions abroad have begun to communicate to prospective returnees, the government said the development was “due to measures that are beyond the control of COVID-19 local organizing team.”
A letter dated 14th May, 2020 by the Embassy of Nigeria in Bangkok, Thailand, which was signed by the Head of Chancery, Nicholas P. Uhomoibhi, said each returnee is expected to pay N297,600 for quarantine and feeding in Nigeria.
The letter reads: “I am directed to bring to your attention that due to measures that are beyond the control of COVID-19 local organizing team in Nigeria, all evacuees going to Nigeria henceforth are to now pay for their quarantine, isolation, accommodation centre or hotels before departure and arrival in Nigeria.
“In this regard, all prospective evacuees are to note the negotiated rate below: Accommodation (N15,000 x 16 days = N240,000) and Feeding (N3,600 x 16 days = N57,600). Total: N297,600 at N18,600 x 16 days.
“Kindly be informed that these rates were negotiated in Nigeria and that the Embassy has been instructed not to airlift any evacuee who fails to pay the above fee.”