The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Thursday
issued COVID-19 pandemic public health protocols for Nigerian airlines
operating international flights.
The measures are to curb the spread of the virus as the
Federal Government prepares to direct resumption of flight operations.
The directive was contained in a letter with reference
number: NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/120, dated May 27, issued by its Director-General,
Capt. Musa Nuhu, in Lagos on Thursday.
Nuhu mentioned that the directive was issued to all
operators, airports and other service providers.
According to him, flight crew must now wear Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) and observe Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC)
measures for the duration of the flight.
He explained that the new protocol approved by the Federal
Ministry of Health, replaced the current practice where Nigerian based flight
crew members who operated international flights were quarantined for 14 days
upon their return to Nigeria.
Nuhu said the new protocol explained that flight crew
operating regional and international flights operations outside the country
should be required to comply with the following:
“The new protocol will ensure orientation and sensitisation
of crew on Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) measures as per training and
guidance from public health authorities.
“Ensure they have adequate stock of Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE), minimum of 70 per cent alcohol-based hand sanitiser and
Universal Precaution Kits (UPK) on board aircraft before the flight.
“Ensure flight crew wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
and observe IPC measures for the duration of the flight as follows:
“Regarding the Flight deck crew: Non-medical face masks and
gloves. Face masks can be removed when the cockpit door is closed for safety
reasons.
“Cabin crew – Non-medical face masks, gloves, disposal
surgical gowns and safety visors/goggles must be used during flight operation.
“They must ensure safe removal of gloves after performing
specific tasks and they should avoid touching their face and eyes with unclean
hands.
“Flight crew are to ensure that all passengers wear a
non-medical face mask for the duration of the flight except when eating or
using emergency oxygen.
“Flight crew are to ensure that passengers rub their hands
with alcohol-based sanitizer as they embark the aircraft,” he said.
Nuhu said flight crew should put up a notice in the
lavatory/washroom on hand washing that requests passengers wash their hands
after using the lavatory.
He added that flight crew will maintain a safe distance
between passengers and themselves by avoiding direct physical contact.
The NCAA boss said cabin crew would serve only prepacked meals
to passengers; where practicable, flight crew would reserve one lavatory for
their own use.
Nuhu said cabin crew should apply disinfectant spray in
lavatory every 60 minutes during the flight.
He said airline would now carry augmented crew to ensure the
immediate turnaround of the flight with no crew member disembarking from the
aircraft.
He added that: “The flight deck crew that will carry out the
mandatory walk around will wear PPE (non-medical facemask, gloves and
disposable protective gowns).
“They will also ensure he/she keeps a physical distance of
at least two meters from ground handling staff, fuelers, dispatchers, baggage
handlers and other persons handling the aircraft while airline should carry
return catering.
“Regarding the accommodation, at all times, crew must comply
with local public health regulations and policies as one crew member to one
room, which is sanitized prior to occupancy.
“Crew, taking account of the above and in so far as is
practicable, should avoid contact with the public and fellow crew members and
remain in the hotel room except to seek medical attention, or for essential
activities.
“They should not use the common facilities in the hotel,
like bars, gyms, etc. While Dine in-room, get take-outs, or dine seated alone
in a restaurant in the hotel, only if room service is not available;
“Also, regularly monitor for symptoms including fever and
observe good hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and physical distancing measures
when required to leave the hotel room only for the reasons of specified
emergency situations.
“Crew members experiencing symptoms suggestive of COVID-19
during lay over or transit, should report it to the aircraft operator and seek
assistance from a medical doctor for assessment of possible COVID-19.”
Nuhu said flight crew members would have no physical contact
with any persons while in the foreign country, including ground handling staff,
airline staff, embassy staff, drivers, protocol officers, hotel and
accommodation staff.
He said upon return to Nigeria, flight crew would not be
quarantined but would undergo mandatory testing for COVID-19 every 14 days at
the cost to the air operator.
The Director-General said flight crew members who test
positive for COVID-19 would be taken to a treatment centre for further
management.
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