Nigeria High Commission in Canada reopens

The Nigerian High Commission in Canada says it will resume in-person immigration and consular services on Thursday.

This development comes in six months after the Commission shutdown in compliance with the host country’s rules for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

OnyxNews Nigeria reports that the reopening of the commission is contained in a statement, which indicates a number of rules that applicants must comply with to access the services.

However, it has been issuing Emergency Travel Certificates (ETC) and visas to applicants needing quick travels, via email since then. One of the guidelines required applicants to apply online and request for interview appointment through email.

“Everyone coming to the chancery has to come in with face masks/covering and sanitise their hands. “You are also required to practice social distancing. These are public health measures put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19,” it stated.

Warning against gate crashing, which is common at Nigerian missions abroad, the High Commission said only those with printed interview invitations would be attended to.

Canadian government is expanding restrictions on gatherings amid a raging COVID-19 cases to unprecedented levels since May in the country.

According to its Public Health Agency, the North American country has reported a daily average of nearly 1,000 infections within the last one week.

Looking at John Hopkins University’s research, it puts the country’s caseload at 148,411, and 9,283 deaths.