The US Government, while exploring opportunities to evacuate Americans that are currently stuck in Nigeria, has advised its citizens to shelter in place, OYOGist.com has learned.
The Embassy of the United States of America in Nigeria announced the plan to assist its citizens to return home in a notice tagged “Health Alert: US Mission in Nigeria.“
While the US Consulate in Nigeria advised Americans in Nigeria to continue to “shelter in place” as Nigeria has banned all flights in and out of the country, including the USA, they also announced they are working on plans to evacuate their citizens.
There are currently no scheduled flights going to the United States of America at the moment.
The USA is now the world’s epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic after the States overtook China and Italy as the country with the most confirmed COVID-19 reports.
The USA currently has over 90,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, more than any other country in the world.
According to statistics from the CDC.gov website, there are now more than 85,000 confirmed cases in the United States – although other sources now put the number at 90,000+. (See screenshot below)
It’s worth to note that the CDC.gov website only displays data from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Mondays to Fridays. Today is Saturday, 28th, March 2020.
The US Consulate advised its citizens to move to Lagos and Abuja and be prepared as plans to provide flights to leave Nigeria are being made. The US Consulate also told its citizens that there won’t be arrangements for feeding and accommodations and citizens should learn the costs beforehand.
Read the statement from the US Embassy in Nigeria below:
“The government of Nigeria has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. At present, there are no scheduled flights to the United States. However, we are actively exploring options and attempting to secure flights despite global airport closures and travel restrictions. We will email U.S. citizens immediately once we have flight details, routes, and costs.
“We will email U.S. citizens immediately once we have flight details, routes, and costs. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to travel to Abuja or Lagos as soon as possible.
“Important Note: The Embassy and Consulate are unable to assist with lodging, food, or transportation costs, and some hotels have closed or are closing.
“As of today, we have confirmed the following airlines are still operating with limited availability: Ibom Air, Arik Airline, Max Airline, Han Air, Azman Airline, Air Peace, and Overland Air. Please work with the airlines to make travel arrangements while flights are still available.
Americans living in Nigeria are advised to consult the CDC.gov and the ng.usembassy.gov websites for more information.
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