The Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, has suspended passport processing for Nigerians in different Canadian communities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
In a statement on Tuesday, the commission said the suspension was indefinite.
It said it would, however, continue to issue Emergency Travel Certificates (ETC) and visas to applicants that need to travel urgently.
“This measure is in line with the Canadian government’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s guideline of ‘social distancing’ as a ‘community mitigation strategy’ to limit the spread of COVID-19,” the statement said.
“It is a conscious effort by government to reduce contact between people and hopefully stem community transmission of the virus.
“Applicants for ETC and visas should, as usual, forward their applications by mail, attaching the relevant documents.
“The ETC or visa would be processed and mailed back to the applicants accordingly.”
Canada recorded no fewer than 324 confirmed cases and four deaths from coronavirus across the provinces on Monday.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau consequently announced the closure of the country’s borders to non-citizens or non-permanent residents excluding citizens of the United States, where about 4,482 confirmed cases and 86 fatalities from coronavirus was reported on Tuesday.