Few few days after Nigeria was included in their red list, the United Kingdom and Canadian governments on Sunday tightened the noose on Nigeria, following its link with the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
As though that was not enough, British High Commission said it would “pause making decisions” on visitor visa applications from all red list countries, including Nigeria.
The decision, announced in a statement issued by the commission on Sunday, came hours after the UK added Nigeria to its travel red list.
“To support the UK government’s aim to protect public health from COVID-19 and associated variants of concern (VOC), UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) will pause making decisions on visitor visa applications in all red list countries, including Nigeria, until travel restrictions are lifted,” the high commission said in a statement.
This is even as the Canadian government said also that it would no longer accept result of COVID test from Nigeria, Egypt, South and seven other countries on the continent.
The UK government also yesterday came up with fresh conditions for Nigerians and its citizens travelling to the UK.from Nigeria
It said British citizens and residents travelling from Nigeria to the UK should expect to spend £2,285 on hotel quarantine for 10 days.
According to the UK guidance on quarantine 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.
There is an “additional rate for adult (or child over 11)” at £1,430, while an “additional rate for a child aged 5 to 11” is £325.
Quarantine costs do not apply to children under five, according to the document.
However, the UK said it would consider an arrangement for persons who have financial challenges.