Nigeria cancels already issued visas for travellers from 13 countries

The Federal Government has announced the cancellation of already issued visas for travellers from 13 countries as part of measures to contain the pandemic Coronavirus.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, briefed State House correspondents on the sidelines of the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Aregbesola listed the countries as China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, USA, UK, Netherlands and Switzerland.
The Minister said the visa cancellation was in addition to earlier announced entry restriction for travellers from these countries.
He said: “It is my task to let you know that in addition to the measures already announced by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the government of Nigeria is restricting entry into the country for travellers from the following 13 countries: China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, USA, UK, Netherlands and Switzerland.
“These are all countries with over 1,000 cases domestically of the virus.
“But what this really means is that we are suspending issuance of visas and we are cancelling all visas already issued to citizens or travellers from these nations.
“It will take effect from Saturday and it will last for four weeks for the time, while developments will dictate what will happen thereafter.”
He said flights from those nations could no longer enter Nigeria with effect from March 21.
Aregbesola said other measures were being considered, which would be communicated through the Ministry.