By our reporter/ Despite last week’s assurances by the British envoy that Nigeria will be considered in it’s vaccine relaxation policy, the country is, however, not included among the 50 countries listed to benefit from the certificate relaxed COVID-19 vaccine policy.
The implication is that fully vaccinated Nigerians travelling to UK still need to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival.
According to the UK government, Nigeria is on the ‘amber’ list, which has restrictions for travellers to the UK, irrespective of whether they have been vaccinated against COVID.
From October 4, UK said the new travel system comes into force with countries and territories categorised as either “red” or “rest of the world”,
as the previous traffic light system of green, amber and red lists have been scrapped.
The list of over 50 countries with approved COVID-19 vaccination programmes and proof of vaccination for travel to England was contained in a statement by the UK government on it’s Website
“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 statement reads.
“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 further stated 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 — whether that’s to see friends and family, or on business trips.
It added that eligible 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, reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England.
According to the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, ”we are accelerating towards a future where travel continues to reopen safely and remains open for good, and today’s rule changes are good news for families, businesses and the travel sector.
“Our priority remains to protect public health but, with more than 8 in 10 people now fully vaccinated, we are able to take these steps to lower the cost of testing and help the sector to continue in its recovery.
“Also from today, under-18s from the over 50 countries whose vaccination status the UK recognises will not need to present a negative PDT before travelling to England. This applies regardless of their vaccination status.”
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