TheCable

Boss Mustapha, chairman of the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19 and secretary to the government of the federation, says COVID-19 vaccination certificate will “very soon” become a requirement for travels.

Mustapha stated this, on Saturday, after President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, at the presidential villa, Abuja.

He noted that some countries have started placing restrictions on receiving visitors on the basis of COVID-19 vaccination certificate.

“Vaccine hesitancy will have to give way to the reality because the truth about it, your excellency,  is that very soon, nobody will be able to travel the world unless you produce the certificate that you have been given,” he said. 

“I have not confirmed this but reliably, some countries have started putting restrictions for receiving visitors, even for exercising activities of their faith, without a COVID-19 vaccination certificate.”

Recently, Saudi Arabia’s health ministry said only people who have been vaccinated  against COVID-19 will be allowed to attend the 2021 Hajj.

Speaking further, he urged Nigerians not to listen to conspiracy theories and misinformation on vaccines and make themselves available when it is their turn to do so.

“They (vaccines) have been tested. Our strategic leaders have received them this morning. They are safe. They are efficacious and it is for the good and wellbeing of our people,” he said.

“I urge Nigerians to make themselves available, not to listen to conspiracy theories and misinformation but to make themselves available, eligible Nigerians when it is their time to do so.”

Mustapha commended Buhari for always approving the proposals and memos sent to him by the PTF in the fight against the pandemic.

On Friday, Nigeria commenced its COVID-19 vaccination with frontline health workers in Abuja