Nigeria Suspends Mandatory COVID-19 Testing, Social Distancing, Others For Travellers

Nigeria Suspends Mandatory COVID-19 Testing, Social Distancing, Others For Travellers

Nigeria announced on Monday the suspension of mandatory COVID-19 testing for both domestic and international travelers.

In a letter to airline operators, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) stated that pre-arrival or post-arrival COVID testing will no longer be required for passengers regardless of vaccination status.’

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“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 stated that while face masks will not be required for all passengers on board aircraft, they will be recommended for those who are at risk of severe illness.

Nuhu, on the other hand, stated that passengers over the age of 65, as well as those suffering from severe illness, should exercise caution.

He revealed that the health status declaration form for travelers entering Nigeria has been replaced with a health questionnaire that “must be completed by all passengers traveling to Nigeria, preferably before 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.

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