Nigeria is nowhere to be found as the United Kingdom relaxed its COVID-19 vaccine policy for more than 50 countries.
This development has left Nigerian travellers expressing their displeasure over COVID-19 tests in the UK despite being fully vaccinated.
This is coming just a few days after Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), assured Nigerians that they will get passage into the UK, despite the measures put up by the UK government.
WHAT THIS MEANS:
- This means that fully vaccinated Nigerians travelling to UK still need to self-isolate for 10 days.
- From October 4, the UK said that the new travel system comes into force with countries and territories categorised as either “red” or “rest of the world.”
- The previous traffic light system of green, amber and red lists has been scrapped.
- Eligible and fully vaccinated passengers with an approved vaccine and recognised certificate from a country not on the red list would be able to replace their day 2 test with a cheaper lateral flow test, thereby reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England.
READ ALSO: Five Things You Probably Did Not Know About BB Naija Shine Ya Eye Winner, White Money
In a statement on its website, the UK government released a list of over 50 countries with approved COVID-19 vaccination programmes and proof of vaccination for travel to England.
The statement said:
“Fully vaccinated residents in other countries not yet part of the inbound policy, as well as those partially vaccinated, will still have to take a pre-departure test, PCR tests for day 2 and day 8 after arrival, and self-isolate for 10 days, with the option to test to release after 5 days.
“The UK government is continuing to work with international partners as we seek to more regularly expand the policy to further countries and territories.”
The government said that the new simplified travel system meant that eligible fully vaccinated passengers and eligible under-18s returning from over 50 countries and territories not on the red list, can do so without needing to complete a Pre-Departure Test (PDT), a day 8 test or enter a 10-day self-isolation period, making it easier for those travelling.
