The Federal Government has authorized an immediate easing of the COVID-19 safety measures and travel advisory, including the suspension of all pre-departure, pre-boarding, and post-arrival PCR testing requirements.
This was stated in a statement released on Monday by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Federal Government and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC).
According to Mustapha, President Muhammadu Buhari’s permission is in accordance with the PSC’s recommendations, which are based on clinical and laboratory evidence of a nationwide reduction in COVID-19 infection and transmission.
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“All pre-departure and post-arrival PCR test requirements for all persons who are not fully vaccinated have been suspended,” the statement reads in part.
“With the suspension of both the preboarding and post-arrival PCR tests, passengers will no longer be required to upload evidence of vaccination on the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP). All unvaccinated and partially vaccinated passengers are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated.
“Health Declaration Form. A simplified Health Declaration (non-covid-19 specific) shall be completed by all passengers arriving in Nigeria on the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP); while provision will be made on arrival for those who were unable to complete this form before departure.
“Finally, the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC) passionately appeals to Nigerians to ensure that they take their COVID-19 vaccinations as well as booster doses.”
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended international flights from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja on March 23, 2020, following the discovery of the country’s first COVID-19 case in February 2020.
According to the NCAA, emergency and essential flights are excluded from the limitation. On March 21, 2020, the Federal Government closed three other airports, including Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, and Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa.
However, after five months of closure, on September 5, 2020, NCAA restarted international flights with tight COVID-19 passenger requirements.
See the complete declaration below:
