The federal government says pre-arrival or post-arrival
testing for COVID is no longer required for travellers, “irrespective of
vaccination status”.
The development was annonced in a letter by the Nigerian
Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), dated December 12, 2022, and addressed to
airline operators.
“COVID-19 Travel Testing: Pre-departure and Post-arrival
COVID-19 PCR tests are no longer required for all passengers irrespective of
vaccination status. PCR tests required for all passengers who are partially/not
fully vaccinated have been suspended,” the letter, signed by Musa Nuhu, NCAA
director-general, reads.
Aside from the suspension of COVID tests, wearing of face masks is no longer mandatory for passengers on board aircraft, but recommended for persons at risk of severe illness.
“The wearing of face
mask inside airport terminal buildings and on board aircraft by airport
workers, passengers, and crew members is no longer mandatory. Wearing of face
mask by passengers on board aircraft or inside airport terminal buildings is
discretionary but recommended,” the letter reads.
“Persons aged 60 years and above, immunocompromised (e.g.
due to organ transplant, cancer, etc), those with co-morbidities (e.g. heart
disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, etc), are advised to use face masks,
wash their hands with water and soap, use hand alcohol-based sanitizers, and
avoid large gatherings.
“Disinfection of bags at the entrance of terminal buildings
is no longer required.
“Airlines are
therefore required to resume serving catering (meals and drinks) on board
aircraft.
“Maintaining social distancing at airport terminal buildings
is no longer mandatory.
“Facilities and conveyances are advised to maintain good
environmental hygiene, good ventilation, and encourage good hand and
respiratory hygiene.
“The use of alcohol-based sanitizer by passengers and
airport workers is recommended.
“Boarding and
disembarkation protocols are to be maintained.”
Also, the declaration form travellers entering Nigeria are
expected to fill on their health status has also now been replaced with a
health questionnaire.
“Declaration form. Permission to travel/ QR code is no
longer required. A simplified health questionnaire form (non-COVlD-19 specific)
shall be completed by all passengers travelling to Nigeria preferably
pre-departure on the Nigerian International Travel Portal (NITP),” NCAA said.
“Passengers who fail to fill the health questionnaire on the
NITP pre-departure will be required to fill the health questionnaire either on
board the aircraft prior to landing or at the airport terminal building upon
arrival.
“All other COVID-19
quarantine/travel requirements are hereby made optional.
“This AOL supersedes previous AOLs issued on COVID-19 for
domestic and international operations.”
Meanwhile, the development comes months after the federal
government scrapped post-arrival tests for fully vaccinated travellers.
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