By Adedapo Adesanya
Following the continuous spread of Coronavirus across the world, the Nigerian Embassy in China has advised Nigerians living in the Asian country, where the virus started, to stay indoors, take all necessary precautions and strictly adhere to all medical precautions.
The embassy also advised Nigerians to maintain regular contact with some officers and to apprise the Embassy of developments as they unfold.
In a statement released on Saturday, February 1, Nigerians residing in China were urged to reach out to the Minister Consular and Immigration, Mr Austine Ekeayanwu, on his official telephone number – 15010266280; Minister/Political, Mrs Ayo Luther-Ogbomode – 13716244174; and Mr Lawal Bappah, Minister/Public Communication, on 13520156753.
According to the statement, “The Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to remind Nigerians living in the People’s Republic of China to be more vigilant in the face of the current outbreak of coronavirus in the country.
“Representatives of all Nigerian associations, such as Nigerians in Diaspora Organization and the Association of Nigerian Students in China as well as Nigeria-China Bilateral Education Agreement Scholars Association are enjoined to remain calm and abide by all public health announcements and instructions issued from time to time by various Chinese authorities to protect themselves from the current scourge.”
Nigerian nationals in the country were also asked to avoid crowded and closed areas and be wary of making close contact with people who might likely be carriers of the dreaded virus.
They were further urged to embark on routine health checks, wash their hands and face regularly and maintain personal hygiene and wear surgical masks, especially when stepping out from their respective accommodations.
“The Embassy wishes to express confidence in the extensive measures adopted by the Chinese authorities to curb the spread of the virus. The Embassy prays and hopes that the scourge will soon be brought under control,” the statement said.
So far, close to 12,000 cases have been confirmed and a small proportion of those – around 100 – have been identified outside China. The UK, US, Russia and Germany have all confirmed cases in recent days.
It was also disclosed on Saturday evening that death toll from China’s coronavirus outbreak was close to 260 with foreign nations restricting travellers from China in response to the rapid spread of the illness.
Aduragbemi Omiyale