International
Saudi ignores plea by WHO, bans pilgrims, from DRC, 3 other countries over Ebola scare
The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has imposed a travel suspension on pilgrims and travelers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over fears that the dreaded Ebola virus could spread during next month’s Hajj pilgrimage.
Reports say the decision was announced in a note issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.
Three other countries including Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia were also included in the travel suspension in a move which the Saudi foreign ministry says is to ensure well-being of Hajj pilgrims.
READ ALSO: Canadian man survives after being swept over Niagara Falls
“The granting of arrivals visas for people entering from DRC has been stopped, to conserve the well-being of pilgrims,” the Saudi ministry’s note said.
The visa suspension by Saudi Arabia comes days after the World Health Organisation (WHO) pleaded during its international emergency declaration that no country should close its borders or place any restrictions on travel or trade because of Ebola urging governments elsewhere in Africa and around the world not to “panic” in response to the outbreak of the virus.
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
If you are motivated and passionate about building a global society, founded on justice, equity, fairness, transparency, accountability and superior knowledge, kindly consider donating to Ripples Nigeria’s solutions journalism.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
INVESTIGATION: Inside UNILAG’s multi-million naira budgetary abuse and academic discord
The University of Lagos located in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, has been embroiled in controversies with allegations bothering on misappropriation of...
SPECIAL REPORT: Displaced residents of Zamfara battle hunger, as underfunding derails Nigeria’s nutrition goals
On paper, Muhammad Zayyanu is seven years old. The quiet boy who looks shorter for his age could not recollect...
INVESTIGATION: N7.3bn paid for unnamed projects; how Nigerian govt spent N2.2trn in six months
Analysing nearly 3,000 payments made by various Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) over the previous six months (January...
INVESTIGATION… Delay rocks Nigerian govt’s promise of N30,000 covid-19 relief for artisans, others
Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in February, 2020, Chukwudi Okoroigwe’s daily earnings as a bus driver was hardly enough to cater to the...
INVESTIGATION… Ten years after, communities count losses as AfDB, Cross River govt abandon road project
Ten years after the Cross River State government and African Development Bank (AFDB) jointly awarded the Yahe-Wanokom-Wanikade-Benue border road for...