Nigeria suspends mandatory COVID-19 testing, social distancing, others for travellers

Nigeria on Monday announced the suspension of the mandatory COVID-19 testing for travellers in and outside the country.

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in a letter to airline operators said pre-arrival or post-arrival testing for COVID will no longer be required for travellers ‘irrespective of vaccination status’.

“PCR tests required for all passengers who are partially/not fully vaccinated have been suspended,” NCAA director-general Musa Nuhu said.

The Nigerian aviation official also disclosed that the use of face masks will not be mandatory for all travellers on board aircraft but recommended for persons at risk of severe illness.

Nuhu, however, noted that persons aged above and passengers with severe illness are to take precautionary measures.

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He disclosed that the health status declaration form for travellers entering Nigeria has been replaced with a health questionnaire to “be completed by all passengers travelling to Nigeria preferably pre-departure on the Nigerian International Travel Portal (NITP”.

“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.

“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.”

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The Nigerian aviation authority noted that it recommends the use of alcohol-based sanitiser for passengers and airport workers and stated that boarding and disembarkation protocols are to be maintained.

“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.”