The federal government says travellers to Nigeria are now
required to submit their passports with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS)
for two weeks pending the verification of their COVID-19 status.
According to THISDAY, the directive is contained in a
circular addressed to all diplomatic, consular and international organisations
accredited to Nigeria on COVID-19.
The newspaper quoted the ministry of health as saying the
directive is in line with the revised protocol for evacuating Nigerians
stranded abroad developed by the presidential task force on COVID-19.
The revised quarantine protocol states that on arrival at
the airport, travellers will be required to fill in a self-reporting form and
go through the normal port health screening where they will be provided information
on where to present themselves for sample collection with within 72 hours of
arrival.
It said returning passengers are expected to self-isolate
for 14 days and remain in the city/state where the point of entry is located
(Lagos or Abuja).
Persons who are unable to remain in the stated locations for
the period of self-quarantine may return to their states of residence only
after their samples had been collected and had tested negative for COVID-19.
“Passengers are required to submit their international
passports for clearance through the Nigeria Immigration System’s Migrants
Identification Data Analysis System (MIDAS). The biodata page including
passenger’s picture will be forwarded to the COVID-19 PCR Sample Collection
Centre to enable proper identification before sample collection,” it said.
“Passengers will be cleared through the Nigeria Immigration
Service System’s Migrant Identification and Data Analysis System and their
passports retained until after successful completion of 14 days self-quarantine,
except diplomatic passport holders
“Passports will be retained until completion of the 14 days
self -isolation/quarantine period; passengers will be allowed to go home at
their own cost, but must present themselves at the sample collection center at
the allocated time; samples will be taken, and a COVID-19 PCR test done.
“Passenger are advised to remain in the City/State where the
point of entry (POE) is located until the end of the 14 days self-isolation
/quarantine and remain reachable during this period.
“If not resident in Lagos, passengers shall make
arrangements for accommodation at their own cost. Please note that the federal
government will not be responsible for providing accommodation or
transportation to the place of abode.”
The protocol states test results will be ready within 24 to
48 hours while port health services and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control
will be informed accordingly.
“Persons who test POSITIVE for COVID-19 will be transferred
to Treatment Centers and travelers reporting or developing symptoms of COVID-19
on arrival, or during screening will not be allowed to self-quarantine and will
be placed in institutional quarantine,” it said.
According to the protocol, persons who have completed the 14
days self-isolation will have an exit interview by phone on the 14th day by the
monitoring team.
It said instructions will be given to the NIS to release the
passports to their owners after all the COVID-19 protocol had been followed.
“If this is satisfactory, their details will be forwarded to
the Nigeria Immigration Service to enable the release of their passports upon
completion of the 14 days self -isolation/quarantine; and passengers may make
alternative arrangements to collect their passports from the Nigeria Immigration
Service, such as via special delivery, DHL etc,” it said.
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