DUE TO the emergence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, the United Kingdom on Saturday, December 4, announced the inclusion of Nigeria in its red list category.
According to Sajid Javid, the UK Health Secretary, the development was due to the growing confirmed cases of COVID-19 patients with Omicron variant in the country, of which 27 cases were linked to recent travel from Nigeria.
Can Nigerians travel to the UK?
With the travel red list in place, what it means is that only British or Irish citizens or residents can enter the UK from Nigeria, and those that do must first be quarantined in a hotel.
The British and Irish residents or citizens that are allowed entry into the UK from Nigeria must first quarantine in a managed hotel for 11 nights.
The cost for this mandatory quarantine cost is £2,285 for the first person and £1,430 for every child over 11.
Apart from the 11 nights quarantine, pre-departure testing and mandatory PCR testing on or before day two and on or after day eight is compulsory.
Nigeria’s inclusion on the UK travel red list commenced on December 6.
Is Nigeria the only country on the UK red list?
Nigeria is not the only country on the UK red list due to the Omicron variant.
South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia had earlier been added to the red list on Friday, November 26.
However, there are now 11 countries on the UK red list and they are:
Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Can Nigeria be removed from the red list?
For now, Nigeria is currently on the red list and will remain there until a new update is made by the UK government.
According to the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, the measures will be reviewed at the three-week review point on December 20.
For now, Nigerians who do not have UK citizenship or residence permit can no longer travel to the country until the measure is revised.
