Urging the Federal Government, the Senate has proposed the idea of implementing a ban on non-Nigerian travelers from countries deemed to be at high risk of coronavirus infection.
During plenary on Tuesday morning, the lawmakers called for this ban just hours after the Federal government announced the 3rd confirmed case of Coronavirus in Nigeria.
Suggesting further measures, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, chairman of the Senate’s Health committee, emphasized the need for the government to also restrict travels to countries most severely affected by the virus to contain its spread.
“Avoiding travel to countries with a high number of cases, particularly in Europe where the impact is widespread, unless it is essential, should be considered. Non-Nigerians from high-risk countries may also be restricted from entering Nigeria. The government should enhance airport health checks,” he stated during the senate session today.
In addition, Oloriegbe stressed the importance of establishing more isolation and testing centers, given that Nigeria currently only has five functioning centers.
Supporting the proposal, Senate President Ahmad Lawan also emphasized the need for more testing centers to be set up in the South East and the North.
“We are fortunate at the moment, but we must not take unnecessary risks. Compliance with the regulations provided by the technical experts is crucial. The federal government needs to take additional steps, especially in the establishment of testing centers. The absence of testing centers in the entire north and south-east is unacceptable. Additionally, the Ministry of Health should set a standard for the isolation centers being constructed by state governments, and this standard should be replicated across all states. Through our committees, we must work closely with the ministry of health and the states to standardize isolation centers,” he emphasized.