Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) has urged  federal government to immediately place entry ban on flights from Britain and other countries currently experiencing the spread of the new COVID-19 variant.

HEWAN in a press statement signed by its President, Mrs. Chioma Obinna and Secretary, Mrs. Lucy Osuizigbo Okechukwu, advised  the government not to wait until the virus gets to Nigeria   but to quickly take necessary steps to keep it away.

“Unfortunately, the nation is already experiencing an influx of travellers, as expected in this festive period, from different countries including those now being ravaged by the new strain of COVID-19. Therefore, it is  imperative that the country acts fast as the world confronts another wave of the pandemic,” it stated.

Also believing  that  Nigeria has the capacity for the development of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, the association   urged  the federal government to ensure that funds are dedicated for research institutes such as the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and others ,so as to develop a homegrown vaccine.