Pilgrimage: Italy lifts COVID- 19 travel restrictions – Official

By Bridget Ikyado

The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano De Leo, says all COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted by Italy.

The Italian Ambassador said this during a  visit by the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr Yakuba Pam, to the Embassy of Italy in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by Mrs Kande Ibrahim, Information Officer I, NCPC Media and Public Relations Unit, on Friday.

De Leo said this would ease the forthcoming Pilgrim exercise.

The ambassador also made it clear that no Pilgrim would go to Rome except through the regulating body of NCPC.

De Leo commended efforts of the NCPC executive secretary to ensure a safe pilgrimage.

In his remarks, Pam thanked the ambassador and promised that the commission would ensure a safe trip without hitches to the holy sites.

According to him, Nigerians have an aim for the trip, of which is mainly to boost their spiritual lives.

The executive secretary said that since the restrictions to Rome had been lifted, NCPC would commence full Pilgrimage to Rome-Israel, Jordan and to Israel-Rome accordingly.

Pam said that intending pilgrims would have to receive the first and second dozes of the COVID-19 vaccine before travelling.

According to him, the 2021/2022 intending pilgrims apart from going to Rome would also be the first to be airlifted to Israel and Jordan.

Pam said that the Jordan pilgrimage would address the issues of visa denial by the Israeli authorities, as affected persons would have an alternative to be in Jordan.(NAN)