Nigerian consulate in New York shut over workers exposure to COVID

The Nigerian consulate in New York, United States, has been forced to suspend its operations, after some of its workers, exposed to coronavirus, have gone into self-isolation.

The suspension of operation took effect on February 18, 2021, according to a public notice from the consulate.

It said the closure became necessary as an undisclosed number of staff members had gone into isolation after their exposure to the virus.

“The general public is hereby notified that the Consulate General of Nigeria, New York, will be temporarily closed from Thursday, 18th February, 2021 to Sunday, 28th February, 2021 due to the number of staff who are quarantined as a result of exposure to COVID-19 at work,” the notice reads.

“This action has become necessary to safeguard the health of staff and visitors to the Consulate.

“Therefore, passport applicants who have been earlier scheduled for biometrics within the period of closure would be rescheduled and informed accordingly.

“All other requests for consular services should be mailed to the Consulate during this period.”

The consulate general said it would reopen for normal services on March 1, 2021.

Over 28 million people have been confirmed positive for the coronavirus, out of which over 500,000 deaths and 18.7 million recoveries have been recorded.