Coronavirus: FG Suspends Evacuation Of Stranded Nigerians

The Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended the further evacuation of stranded Nigerians overseas.

Ekohotblog reports that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who made this known on Wednesday, said the development is to allow take-off of a new policy on the evacuation of Nigerians.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs said henceforth evacuated Nigerians would not have to go straight into 14-day government monitored isolation if they test negative from their country of origin.

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Onyeama said the new policy will take effect from next week, adding that a further evacuation process has been suspended to give way for the take-off of the new policy.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs said with the new policy evacuees will have to be tested at most nine days before their flight take off, adding that those who test positive will not be allowed on the flight

Onyeama said the new policy will give the government enough latitude to fly more Nigerians home.

However, Ekohotblog reports that Nigeria has evacuated 989 stranded citizens with 265 from the United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom (253); United States (160); Saudi Arabia (292) and Lebanon (57).