COVID-19: China bars Nigerians, others from entering its country

• NCDC confirms 180 new cases, total now 63,508

No Nigerians and other non-Chinese citizens can travel to China from Nigeria, the Chinese authorities have said.

China said on Thursday that it had temporarily suspended entry of Nigerians and non-Chinese nationals into its country over the COVID-19 pandemic.

The authorities said in a notice on Thursday that its embassy would no longer issue certified health declaration form for non-Chinese nationals in the country.

It, however, said holders of diplomatic passports, service, courtesy or C visas would not be affected by the regulation, adding that the measures would be reviewed in accordance with “evolving situation”.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, China has decided to temporarily suspend entry into China by non-Chinese nationals in Nigeria holding visa or residence permits still valid at the time of this announcement,” the notice read.

“The Chinese embassy and consulate in Nigeria will no longer issue Certified Health Declaration Form for the above-mentioned personnel.

“Entry by holders of diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visas will not be affected. Foreign nationals visitingChina for emergency needs may apply for visas at Chinese embassy or consulate. Entry by non-Chinese nationals in Nigeria with visas issued after 3 November 2020 will not be affected.

“The suspension is a temporary response necessitated by the current situation of COVID-19. The above-mentioned measures will be assessed in accordance with the evolving situation and any adjustment will be announced accordingly.”

The COVID-19 broke out in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.

The city was put on a strict lockdown to curb the spread of the disease but since the outbreak, it has spread across 218 countries with 48,868,008 cases confirmed globally.

Not less than 1,236,650 deaths have also been recorded with China having 86,115 cases, 4,634 deaths and 81,081 recoveries.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced that the country has recorded 180 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in Nigeria to 63,508.

The NCDC disclosed this on its verified Twitter handle on Thursday night.

“On the 5th of November 2020, 180 new confirmed cases were recorded in Nigeria.

“Till date, 63508 cases have been confirmed, 59748 cases have been discharged and 1155 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“The 180 new cases are reported from 14 states- Lagos (87), Oyo (51), FCT (12), Plateau (10), Edo (4), Ekiti (3), Ogun (3), Bauchi (2), Kaduna (2), Niger (2), Kano (1), Ondo (1), Osun (1), Rivers (1),” the NCDC said.