The Federal Government has finally abolished the Covid-19 testing protocols for fully vaccinated passengers arriving or departing the country.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in a revised international travel protocol issued to all airlines operating international flights into Nigeria said as from 12:01 AM Monday 4th April 2022, all in-bound passengers who have been fully vaccinated are no longer required to have the pre-departure PCR test or a repeat test on arrival.
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Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu in the All Operators Letter (DG/05/22) NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/339 dated 2nd April 2022 and addressed to the Accountable Manager of Airlines, informed that the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 has issued a revised Provisional Quarantine protocol for travellers arriving or departing Nigeria dated 2nd April 2022, which becomes effective as from 12:01 AM Monday 4th April 2022.
The NCAA also warned that any airline that fails to comply with the requirements would be fined $3,500 per passenger.
The letter reads: “This All-Operator’s Letter (AOL) is to convey to all airlines operating regional and international flights in and out of Nigeria the revised provisional quarantine protocol for travellers arriving or departing Nigeria issued by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 for their information and guidance.”
For the in-bound passengers, the letter said: “All passengers who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are not required to be in possession of a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test result, or conduct repeat PCR or Rapid Antigen test upon their arrival in Nigeria. Passengers aged 18 years and below will be accorded the same privileges as persons who are fully vaccinated.
“All passengers who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated are required to be in possession of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 48 hours pre-departure, and conduct repeat COVID-19 PCR test on days 2 and 7 upon arriving in Nigeria. This requirement does not apply to passengers aged 18 years and below.
“Airlines are to board only passengers who have fulfilled the above pre-boarding requirements which are applicable to their vaccination status. Failure by any airline to comply with the above pre-boarding requirements shall attract a penalty of $3,500 per passenger.
“Out-bound passengers: Passengers travelling out of Nigeria are encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and ensure compliance with the COVID-19 requirements of their destination or transit countries.
“Crew members: Crew members operating regional or international flights into and out of Nigeria who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to be in possession of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result.”
