Passport interviews and biometric data capture have been suspended at the Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in Washington, New York and Atlanta, United States, have over the coronavirus outbreak.
According to the embassy authorities, the suspension takes effect from Monday, March 16, 2020 until further notice.
Disclosing this in a statement on Sunday,, the missions said, the decision is part of precautionary measures to protect the “health and well being of all passport applicants” and staff.
The mission, however, said, it will continue to issue Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) to those who need to travel urgently, but through mail.
“Applicants for ETC should forward their applications by mail, attaching the relevant documents and self-addressed mailing envelope,” the Nigerian embassy in Washington said.
The consulate in Atlanta said the ETC would be processed and mailed back to the applicants.
The US President Donald Trump, had declared a national emergency over the disease, which has rattled the world.
As of Sunday morning, the virus had infected no fewer than 2, 815 people and killed 59 others in 49 states across the the US, including the capital Washington, D.C.
