The immediate relaxation of the COVID-19 safety precautions and travel advise, including the elimination of all pre-departure, pre-boarding, and post-arrival PCR test requirements, has been approved by the Federal Government.
Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC), stated this in a statement on Monday.
Mustapha claims that President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval follows the PSC’s recommendations in light of clinical and laboratory data showing a persistent decline in COVID-19 infection and transmission nationwide.
“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) prohibited international flights from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe International airport in Abuja on March 23, 2020, following the country’s first case of COVID-19 being reported in February 2020.
The NCAA does state that essential and emergency flights are excluded from the prohibition. The Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, and the Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa were shut down by the federal government on March 21, 2020.
However, on September 5, 2020, NCAA restarted international flights after a five-month suspension, with severe COVID-19 requirements for passengers.