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Nigeria excludes oil and gas carriers from new Covid-19 restrictions

2 April 2020

Nigeria has imposed new restrictions on all cargo ships, except those carrying oil and gas products, entering the country's ports as part of its efforts to restrict the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

In a tweet posted on his personal Twitter account on 26 March, Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari wrote: 'I have directed that only cargo vessels that have been at sea for more than 14 days be allowed to dock in our ports, after the crew have been tested and confirmed disease-free by the Port Health Authorities.'

The President sent a follow-up tweet saying: 'This 14-day restriction however does not apply to vessels carrying oil and gas products as by their nature, there is minimal human contact.'

On 29 March he added: 'All seaports in Lagos shall remain operational in accordance with the guidelines I issued earlier. Vehicles and drivers conveying essential cargoes from these Ports to other parts of the country will be screened thoroughly before departure by the Ports Health Authority.'

Buhari also used his Twitter feed to announce the 'immediate closure of [Nigeria's] International Airports and Land Borders for four weeks in the first instance'.

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