The government of The United Kingdom (UK) has announced the addition of Nigeria to its travel red list, beginning from 4 am on Monday December 6.

However, the rules could change on December 20, when a review is due to be made.

In a tweet on Sunday by the ‘UKinNigeria’ official handle, the UK stated only British nationals and those with UK residence rights are exempt from the new rule.

“For people who have been in Nigeria during the last ten days, only British or Irish nationals and those with UK residence rights will be allowed entry into the UK,” the handle tweeted.

The UK government explained that Nigeria would be added to the travel red list, as 21 cases of Omicron reported in England are linked to travel from Nigeria.

According to a press statement signed by Ndidiamaka Eze, Press and Public Affairs Officer at the British High Commission in Nigeria, residents arriving from Nigeria must isolate for 10 days in a government-approved managed quarantine facility and receive two negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, as additional precautionary measures against the Omicron variant are taken.

“Currently, the majority of cases in the UK have clear links to overseas travel from South Africa and Nigeria, and over the past week 21 reported Omicron cases in England originating from Nigeria,” the statement contained.

“These are temporary measures that have been introduced to prevent further Omicron cases from entering the UK, and will be examined at the three-week review point on 20 December.”