The Nigerian High Commission in London has cancelled passport processing till further notice following an outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus.
In a statement issued by the commission, the suspension will go into effect as from Wednesday 18, 2020. The development is part of precautionary steps taken by the commission to limit exposure of applicants and staff to the virus.
Nevertheless, the commission can still be reached by phone or email in cases of Emergency travel certificates.
“This is to notify that effective, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, Nigeria high commission, London will suspend the processing of passport till further notice,”.
“This proactive measure is to protect and limit the exposure of both applicants and staff of the mission to the COVlD-19 outbreak, which is in line with the health advisory issued by the UK government.”
The virus is spreading rapidly in the United Kingdom. So far, 1,500 people and counting have tested positive to the virus. On Monday, Popular British actor, Idris Elba announced that he tested positive to the virus but experienced no symptoms. He also revealed that he is currently in self-isolation.
It will be recalled that Nigeria has also confirmed another case of the virus on Tuesday in Lagos. A 30-year-old woman who returned from the UK recently experienced symptoms and tested positive. She has since been quarantined.
Meanwhile the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, has also suspended passport processing for Nigerians in different parts of the country to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.
The Commission in a statement release in New York, said that the suspension is indefinite. However, it will continue to issue Emergency Travel Certificates (ETC) and visas to applicants that needed to travel urgently.
The statement read:
“This measure is in line with the Canadian Government’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s guideline of social distancing as a community mitigation strategy to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“It is a conscious effort by the government to reduce contact between people and hopefully stem community transmission of the virus.
“Applicants for ETC and visas should, as usual, forward their applications by mail, attaching the relevant documents.
“The ETC or visa would be processed and mailed back to the applicants accordingly,” it read.
The Commission also advised Nigerians in Canada to adhere to the COVID-19 related guidelines provided by Canadian health authorities in their communities.
Canada has recorded 324 confirmed cases and four deaths from Coronavirus across the provinces.
The Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has also announce the closure of the country’s borders to non-citizens or non-permanent residents.