Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in the United States – Washington, New York and Atlanta – have suspended passport interviews and biometric data capture over the coronavirus crisis.
The suspension, which takes effect from Monday, is until further notice, the missions said in separate statements made available to Huhuonline.com on Sunday.
According to the statements, the decision is part of precautionary measures to protect the “health and wellbeing of all passport applicants” and staff.
However, they will continue to issue Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) to those who need to travel urgently, but through mail.
“Applicants for ETC should forward their applications by mail, attaching the relevant documents and self-addressed mailing envelope,” the Nigerian embassy in Washington said. The consulate in Atlanta added that the ETC would be processed and mailed back to the applicants.
On Friday, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over the disease, which has rattled the world, but contradicted his COVID-19 task force leader, by claiming that his administration has “tremendous control” over the virus.
As at the time of this report, the Coronavirus had infected no fewer than 3,400 people and killed 67 others in 49 states across the US, including the capital Washington, DC. The only state that has not announced a confirmed Coronavirus case is West Virginia.
