*As United States warns citizens about international travels
As a move to curtail the spread of Coronavirus code-named COVID-19, President Muhammadu Buhari, has ordered the closure of three international airport in the country.
iBrandTV gathered that the airports includes, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa
According to a statement signed by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Musa Nuhu, he said, the three airports would be closed till further notice effective Saturday, March 21.
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The statement added that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, would still be opened but flight operations to the thirteen COVID-19 high-risk countries will be grounded.
The 13 countries includes, China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, the United States, Norway, UK, Netherlands and Switzerland.
Lagos and Abuja airport exclusion
Moreso, Nigerians have frowned over the non inclusion of Lagos and Abuja international airport in the list of ban.
According to a Nigerian Scholar and Academician, Dr Doris Ngozi Morah, “Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu has been closed since 24 August 2019. This pandemic started last day of December 2019 and beginning of 2020.
US warns international citizens
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This came even as the State Department upgraded its travel advisory to the highest level.
“In countries where commercial departure options remain available, US citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period,”
“US citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel,” State Department said.
The State Department said the growing number of temporary entry restrictions by governments as well as airline cancellations made smooth travel impossible.
It also said that some US embassies had lower capacity to assist citizens due to departures of personnel over COVID-19.