FG bars international flights from coming into the country after increased cases of coronavirus

The federal government has barred international flights from coming into the country hours after the Minister of Health Osagie Ehanire announced that 10 new cases of coronavirus has been confirmed, bringing to the total cases in the country to 22 (two have been discharged).

Recall we reported earlier that in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, the federal government ordered the closure of three international airports in the country.

The affected airports are Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

However following the confirmation of 10 cases of coronavirus in the country today March 21, the federal government has also barred international flights from coming into Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja effective Monday March 23 to April 23 2020.

This was confirmed in a statement released today by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and signed by Musa Nuhu (NCAA Director General).

The statement reads;

“Further to our earlier letter on restriction of international flights into Nigeria, we wish to inform you that effective Monday 23 March at 2300Z to 23 April at 2300z, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos (DNMM) and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja (DNAA) will be closed to international flights,” the statement read.

“This is in addition to the closure of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (DNKN); Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu (DNEN); and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa (DNPO) effective Saturday, 21 March at 2300Z.

“Henceforth, all airports in Nigeria are closed to all incoming international flights with the exception of emergency and essential flights.”

NCAA further revealed that domestic flights would continue operations at all airports across the nation.