By Milton Tella – The Nigeria High Commission London will reopen the embassy building to the public for full operation, effective from Monday, 23rd August 2021 after the mandatory period of isolation for some of the officers, who tested positive for Covid-19.
His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK, has issued a circular advising the Deputy High Commissioner, Home based Officers and Service Support Staff of the embassy to comply with the new NHS regulations on Covid-19 before returning to work.
Ambassador Isola who had his negative test result on Sunday 15th August 2021 said, “Responsible, transparent and accountable leadership demands the compliance of the High Commissioner with immediate effect.
Consequently, I took a PCR test on Saturday 14th August and received a negative test result on Sunday15th August 2021.
A copy of my negative test result and evidence of my two jabs (full vaccination) has been forwarded to the Head of Chancery for the records and accreditation into the Mission on Wednesday 18thAugust 2021, in line with the new regulations of the host Government.
As law-abiding citizens, I enjoin you to ensure strict compliance with the regulations.”
Steps to reopen
Nigeria High Commission London in a press release made available to African Voice stated that: In view of the United Kingdom Government guidelines on self- isolating, with effect from Monday, 16th August, 2021, which stipulates that double jabbed individuals will no longer be legally required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case, but will be advised to take a PCR test to check if they have the virus and for variants of concern. The High Commission has therefore commenced measures to fully reopen.
Antiviral sanitisation of the Embassy
Antiviral Sanitisation of the High Commission premises was carried out on Monday, 16th August 2021 in compliance with COVID-19 regulations.
Accordingly, the Mission will reopen to officers and staff who have met the above-stated criteria and who present a valid PCR test from Wednesday, 18th August 2021. However, officers and staff who are yet to be vaccinated, or have only received a single dose of the vaccine will still be required to self-isolate and return to the office on Monday, 23rd August, 2021, also with a valid PCR test dated on or after Sunday, 15th August, 2021.
However, officers who haven’t been vaccinated or have only received a single dose of the vaccine will be required to self-isolate and return to the office on Monday 23 August, 2021, also with a valid PCR test dated on or after Sunday 15 August, 2021.
In all the efforts to stay safe, all officers and staff of the Mission are kindly required to carry out the twice-weekly lateral flow testing offered. The test kits are easy to use and can be ordered, free of charge, from http://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests, and they arrive very quickly. Use of face covering is required in enclosed spaces and limit contact with others. In addition, officers and staff are kindly reminded that if they are identified as close contact of a positive COVID-19 case by NHS Test and Trace, they will be advised to take a PCR test as soon as possible to check if they have the virus and for variants of concern. Officers and staff can order a PCR home test online or call 119 or go to a test site to book an appointment.
Mandatory Temperature Check
The Mission has installed automatic temperature machines at the two main entrances of the Nigeria House office to ensure all visitors to the building are duly checked.
Review of passport processing
The mandatory period of isolation, which was in compliance with the United Kingdom guidelines on COVID-19, has affected the processing of Nigerian passports for the period.
Therefore, a review of passport processing arrangements at the High Commission has now been put in place to ease the passport application process for applicants.
Specified days for Fast-Track Service
The applicants requiring the urgent Fast-Track Service can only visit the embassy on three specific days of the week.
The High Commission has resolved that the Fast-Track Service will no longer be on a daily basis, rather it will be operated on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays only, between 09:00am-1:00pm.
Passport applicants, on regular scheduled appointments, will receive confirmation emails stating their appointment dates.
In this connection, applicants are encouraged to observe the above-mentioned arrangements and continue to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations as well as keep safe always.
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