Fed Govt expresses disappointment over Nigeria’s inclusion in UK red list over Omicron COVID

06 Dec Fed Govt expresses disappointment over Nigeria’s inclusion in UK red list over Omicron COVID

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has expressed disappointment over the United Kingdom government’s placement of Nigeria on its red list following the detection of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

Speaking on a Channels Television programme on Sunday, he said, “We were not very happy when six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa were placed on a red list and the WHO also advised against putting each on the red list,” the minister said, less than one day after the UK announced the move.

“From what we know about the COVID-19, there are many ways to manage it, and besides, not much is still known about the Omicron variant. We know, for example, that there have been no fatalities.

“There have also been no reports of very severe illness. Actually, the rationale for being so hasty in putting countries on the red list is not something that is very helpful.”

According to the minister, who acknowledged that Nigeria is experiencing the fourth wave of the pandemic, said the move was ill-advised as he noted that it would have multiple impacts on commerce, and disrupt activities during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

“It is going to disrupt commerce,” he added.  It is going to disrupt family reunions.”

He explained that while Nigeria has detected the COVID-19 virus on travellers from the UK, the cases have not been confirmed to be the Omicron variant.

Reiterating that the placement of countries on the red list will not help in the global fight against the pandemic, Ehanire said Nigeria is anticipating the fourth wave of the disease.

“If every country were going to put other countries on the ban list, very soon you would have a large number of countries on your red list,” the minister said.

“So, I do believe there are other ways of going about it. We in Nigeria do not regard banning flights and movements of people as particularly helpful and supportive.”

The UK’s move, which came a few days after Nigeria detected the new strain, followed a similar decision by the Canadian authorities.

* Nigeria Caseload: Nigeria reported 55 new cases, 23 recoveries and zero deaths on Sunday. So the national caseload is 214622 confirmed cases, and 207450 recoveries, while the death toll remains 2980.

The 55 new cases were reported from 6 States- Lagos (37), Edo (6), Osun (5), Oyo (4), Ogun (2), and Ekiti (1)