The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has reviewed the country’s international travel protocol amid the emergence of a new variant of coronavirus, Omicron.
The Chairman of the PSC, Boss Mustapha, said this in a statement made available to the press on Friday in Abuja.
Mustapha said that the revised protocol is aimed at further reducing the risk of importation and exportation of COVID-19, especially the variant of concern.
He assured Nigerians that the PSC would continue to monitor global and country specific situations with a view to taking necessary measures to safeguard the health of Nigerians.
Mustapha, also Secretary to the Government of the Federation, called on Nigerians to ensure they that they take the full dose of COVID-19 vaccines and continue to observe compliance to public health measures.
NAN reports that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Wednesday confirmed the first case of the Omicron variant in the country.
NAN reports that the new variant has sparked global concerns due to fears it may spread faster and be resistant to vaccines, following its discovery in South Africa.
Omicron was first detected in Europe in Belgium on November 27.
Other European countries, including Germany, Italy and the UK, have confirmed cases.
Australia also reported cases on November 28.
The European Union on November 27 moved to ban travel from seven Southern African countries.
Other nations, including the US and UK, are adopting similar moves.
Israel late on Saturday went further by imposing a two weeks travel band for all non-residents.
Similarly, the Hovernment of Canada has also stated that it discovered two cases of the variant from two passengers from Nigeria.