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Nigerian nationals refused entry
– as Guyana Ebola restriction takes effect
Six Nigerian nationals were reportedly recently sent back to their West African homeland after arriving at the
The Nigerian who spoke to this publication on the condition of anonymity
Cheddi Jagan International Airport. This state of affairs has been linked to a ban instituted by the Government as part of its response to tackle the Ebola virus which has been wreaking havoc in sections of West Africa.
Those who were reportedly refused entry are all students registered at a local medical University. Efforts to contact the University yesterday to ascertain the status of the students proved futile.
Reports suggest that the students had returned home for a holiday stint before travelling back here last week. However, based on the fact that they had visited a territory that has confirmed cases of the Ebola Virus, they were all denied entry.
This publication was informed of the foregoing development by a Nigerian who himself travelled from Nigeria to Guyana in September to attend University here. The man who spoke to this publication on the condition of anonymity yesterday disclosed that at the time of his departure there were at least 20 confirmed cases of the Ebola virus in Nigeria.
He is, however, of the firm belief that moves were made to effectively contain the virus there. This was confirmed by reports out of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which confirmed that while a small number of cases were reported in Nigeria and one in Senegal they were all contained.
Speaking to this publication of his journey to Guyana, the Nigerian explained how he travelled to France thence to Miami before heading to Guyana. He, however, noted that at no airport outside of his homeland did he recall being screened.
“I am telling you there was no screen after I left Nigeria… There was no screening in France, no screening in Miami. Back home there was a lot of awareness; (there were) a lot of signs everywhere about Ebola and definitely screening before you were allowed to leave….it was very tight, (they were) checking your temperature and so,” recalled the young man.
He arrived in Guyana along with a female relative on September 3 last. And according to the young man, neither he nor his relative has developed symptoms of the virus as they were not knowingly exposed to the virus.
However, since their arrival here, Guyana has put in place travel restrictions that will affect persons who have travelled to sections of West Africa or were in contact with such persons.
Based on a recent advisory issued by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Government in an attempt to combat the virus has in place a strict ongoing screening process at all ports of entry for persons who might have travelled in the past 21 days or been in contact with persons from sections of West Africa.
Such persons, this publication understands, will be treated as “highly suspicious” for the Ebola virus until tests prove otherwise.
In a statement posted on Facebook by Minister Rodrigues-Birkett, it was noted that Government since early September discussed Guyana’s preparedness to deal with Ebola.
Moreover, she noted that “on September 9, 2014, all Embassies and Consulates abroad have been instructed by me not to issue visas to nationals from West African countries for the time being. The Embassies and Consulates have not issued any visas since then.”
But according to Rodrigues-Birkett, while this does not constitute a travel ban for persons from African countries (Africa has 54 countries), the measure implemented is aimed at dealing with the deadly Ebola virus which is seen as a challenge to both developed and developing countries alike.
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