UK Government To Remove Nigeria, Others From Omicron Red List On Wednesday

The United Kingdom will on Wednesday remove Nigeria and 10 other countries including South Africa from a red list over the outbreak and spread of Coronavirus' new variant - Omicron.

The UK had on December 5 announced Nigeria among a red list of countries where travellers except Britons were not allowed to fly in from.

The decision to remove Nigeria and others from the red list was reached after the government agreed that Omicron was now a global issue.

Also, speaking at the UK parliament on Tuesday, Sajid Javid, UK health secretary, said the Omicron variant “has spread so widely across the world,” hence the travel red list is now “less effective”.

A British journalist, Sebastian Payne also tweeted on Tuesday, “UK empties the red list. Whitehall officials confirm the 11 countries (including South Africa) will be moved from 4 am tomorrow. Covid-O meeting happening imminently. Minister accept spread of Omicron means restrictions are ‘pointless’.

🚨 NEW: U.K. empties the red list

Whitehall officials confirm the 11 countries (including South Africa) will be removed from 4am tomorrow. Covid-O meeting happening imminently

Ministers accept spread of omicron means restrictions are “pointless” https://t.co/VxRUKGn5pS

— Sebastian Payne (@SebastianEPayne) December 14, 2021

Britain had last week added Nigeria to the travel red list amid concerns over the Omicron variant. 

A statement by the British Deputy High Commission Lagos, Catriona Laing had said the UK took the decision in order to protect the public health of its people while the government tries to understand the new variant.