UK halts issuance of visas to Nigerians

The United Kingdom (UK) on Saturday included Nigeria in its travel red list following the tracing of the Omicron cases discovered in the UK to Nigeria. The visa restriction will take effect from Monday.

Sajid Javid, UK health secretary, on Saturday revealed: “The government has decided to add Nigeria to the travel red list and that will be effective from 4.00am on Monday.

“This will mean that only UK residents or citizens of the UK can enter the UK from Nigeria from that point onwards, and they would have to quarantine in one of the relevant hotels.”

Other African countries on the UK travel red list include South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

The UK guidance on quarantine disclosed that “arrangements for persons who are travelling in from countries on the red list, British citizens or residents coming in from Nigeria are required to quarantine for 10 days on arrival at a government-approved hotel at a cost of £2,285 for an adult.”

Further details indicated that an “additional rate for 1 adult (or child over 11)” at £1,430; including an “additional rate for a child aged 5 to 11” is £325.

The details revealed that quarantine costs do not apply to children under five.

The UK promised to consider arrangements for persons who have financial challenges.