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COVID-19 SCARE: Tit-for-tat? US cancels all visa appointments in Nigeria
The United States of America has decided to cancel all visa appointments in Nigeria in retaliation for a decision by the Federal Government which announced a travel ban on 13 countries including the US over fears of the spread of coronavirus disease, also known as COVID-19.
A statement issued by the US Embassy in Nigeria on Wednesday said it had stopped all visa appointments and also noted that the information was for visa applicants only for the time being.
The statement by the US Embassy reads; “As of March 18, 2020, the United States Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria is cancelling routine nonimmigrant visa appointments.
“We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time.”
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The statement also added that application fees already paid by applicants would remain valid in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment.
This development comes a day after the Federal Government announced a travel ban on 13 countries over the ravaging COVID-19 disease.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha made the announcement at a media briefing in Abuja.
The affected countries are the United States of America, Britain, China, France, Japan, Iran, Switzerland, Norway, Netherland, South Korea, Germany, Italy and Spain.
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