COVID-19: Reactions trail FG’s travel ban on 13 countries

Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions to the Federal Government’s (FG) travel ban placed on 13 countries that have been tagged, ‘high-risk countries’ from entry into the country,

While some Nigerians on twitter are happy and expressed total support for the FG, others were very critical of the government for not taking this step early enough.

The announcement was made public by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha during a press briefing in Abuja. The countries that have the travel restriction include China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, United States of America, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Switzerland.

This is contrary to the earlier pronouncement of the Federal Government that had said that it had no plans to impose travel restrictions on visitors from countries where the coronavirus continues to spread rapidly.

A twitter user, Umar Yahkubu, feels that it was the best news he is hearing at the moment. Another individual gave kudos to the government for that action just as he said that it was a bold step that was taken.

In his support to government, another twitter user disagreed with those who are of the opinion that it took that decision under pressure from Nigerians. He said that the Federal Government had to consult with NCDC and the economic team before arriving at such a decision.

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In his support to government, another twitter user disagreed with those who are of the opinion that it took that decision under pressure from Nigerians. He said that the Federal Government had to consult with NCDC and the economic team before arriving at such a decision.

Below are some of the reactions which seem to support the government’s decision.

Best news of the year

— Umar Yakubu (@umaryakubu) March 18, 2020

Thank you for listening. God bless Nigeria

— O'muyiwa 🇳🇬 (@odubayo822) March 18, 2020

At last they arebdoing the right thing after enormous complaints from citizens

— Abdulrasheed | The Famous (@Rasheed_Digital) March 18, 2020

This is a bold step in the right direction ….Kudos to FG for taking this bold step!

— AB (@Saniabdul____) March 18, 2020

It is not public pressure. Advice had to be taken from NCDC & economic team. Certain logistics for supervised isolation needed to be put in place. PMS & Diesel had to be sourced as there will probably be a shortage. So certain things needed to be done first.

— Jerry (@JerryEugene) March 18, 2020

Meanwhile, some Nigerians appear not to be too pleased with the timing of the decision as they felt it was coming a bit late. They were critical of the announcement as they felt that the FG should have taken this bold step some weeks back.

Segun Idris was upset as he felt that the step might be too late. He complained bitterly that there was a flight from the UK to Nigeria which had a passenger that was infected last week. He wondered why they are taking the decision now when it could have been taken earlier.

Another Twitter user, simply known as Onyokpo wondered why the government is placing a ban on countries whose government have already closed its borders to entry and exit of people. He felt the Nigerian government was irresponsive and hypocritical in its approach to this issue.

Here are some of their reactions:

This step might be too late! What kind of government is this? There was a flight from France last night, and another which had a passenger that was infected early this week from the UK. Why are they taking actions now?!

— #EndSarsNow (@sexcapade__) March 18, 2020

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Are you restricting people that their govt have already closed their borders against entry and exit. I have never seen such an irresponsive and hypocritic govt like Buharis. We have seem the impact of their useless self quarantine policy.

— Mazi Onyokpo (@onyokpo) March 18, 2020

This is not good news as you guys have refused to take this action before now. Why did you guys have to wait till the number of cases increase in the country? I just think you hate the citizens you rule with a passion and only interested in yourselves.

— Rosie the great (@TopeRoberts) March 18, 2020

Although Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief at the development, the general feeling is that this decision should have been taken earlier. This is made worse with the announcement of 5 new reported cases of the coronavirus disease today.

Some Nigerians pointed out that the FG probably hurriedly made the announcement after the discovery of the 5 new cases by the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).