The British High Commission has announced the resumption of the issuance of visitor’s visas to citizens of countries previously on the United Kingdom (UK) red list, including Nigeria.
The UK government had placed Nigeria and some other countries on a red list following the outbreak of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
On December 6 in a statement, the UK had also announced the suspension of issuance of visitor visas to all applicants from red list countries.
However, it has now retracted that decision removing Nigeria from the infamous list which had generated a public outcry.
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The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), had in a statement said, ‘From 4:00 am on 15th December, all countries currently on the red list will be removed”.
‘In line with the lifting of red list restrictions, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) will also lift the pause on processing visitor visas in all countries previously on the red list.
The country further explained that ‘Visit visas only cover travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family and friends, undertaking short-term business activities (for example, attending meetings), undertaking short-term studies (under 6 months), taking part in research or exchange programmes as an academic, medical reason (for example, receiving private medical treatment).
Africa Today News, New York had earlier reported that UK Government had on Tuesday made a U-turn announcing that it has removed Nigeria and 10 other countries from its red list over the Omicron variant of the ravaging Covid-19 virus.
UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, announced this on Tuesday while addressing Members of Parliament.
According to him, the red list is ‘now less effective in slowing the incursion of Omicron from abroad’.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK