Nigerians diasporans face being arrested for travelling out of the UK without proper reason

NIGERIANS in the UK will not be able to travel back home between now and the end of the lockdown period on June 21 after the British government introduced new stringent regulations prohibiting movement unless for very important business and emergencies.

Currently in the middle of a gradual easing of its strict lockdown measures, as from today March 8, the UK will allow care home residents to receive one visitor and schools have reopened. However, strict travel measures have been introduced which require all travellers to show evidence that their journeys are important.

Under the new measures that came into effect today, anyone wishing to travel out of the UK must complete a government form declaring the reason why they need to travel abroad. A copy of this form must be printed or saved unto a mobile phone or other device and shown at the departure point.

All travellers will be asked to show this declaration form at their port of departure and must carry evidence to support their reason for travel. Entering a port of departure to travel internationally without a completed form is a criminal offence, for which travellers will be fined £200.

Anyone trying to travel abroad without a legally permitted reason will also be fined for breaching the stay-at-home regulations. Reasons for which international travel will be permitted include essential work or returning overseas having completed essential work, working on critical national infrastructure such as rail networks, national security or diplomatic purposes and elite sports competitions.

Evidence travellers will be asked to present include employer’s letter, professional identity card, confirmation from sports body or evidence of participation or diplomatic mission letters.  Travel may be permitted for medical reasons, academic studies where a physical presence is required, includes international students returning home, to attend weddings or funerals, to fulfill legal obligations, to present oneself to a judicial or administrative authority or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property.