BEVERLY HILLS, May 02, (THEWILL) – In its effort to continue to safeguard the health of the Nigerian population, as well as to minimise the risk of a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria, the Presidential Steering Committee has issued a new travel advisory for air passengers arriving from Brazil, India and Turkey.
The travel advisory, which is subject to review after four weeks, THE WILL gathered, shall come into effect from Tuesday 4th May 2021.
The Presidential Steering Committee approved the reduction of the validity period of pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test for all Nigeria-bound passengers from 96hrs to 72 hours.
With the new development, PCR test results older than 72 hours before departure shall not be accepted.
In an official statement issued weekend, signed by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, the government stated that: “Non-Nigerian passport holders and non-residents who visited Brazil, India or Turkey within 14 days preceding travel to Nigeria, shall be denied entry into Nigeria. This regulation, however, does not apply to passengers who transited through these countries”.
It further stated that airlines that failed to comply with the rules shall mandatorily pay a penalty of $3,500 (Three Thousand
Five Hundred dollars) for each defaulting passenger; and Non-Nigerians will be denied entry and returned to the country of embarkation at cost to the Airline.
“Nigerians and those with permanent resident permit who visited Brazil, India or Turkey within 14 days preceding travel to Nigeria shall be made to undergo 7 days of mandatory quarantine in a Government approved facility at the point-of-entry city and at cost to the
passenger”.
“The following condition shall apply to such passengers: Within 24 hours of arrival shall take a COVID-19 PCR test; If Positive, the passenger shall be admitted within a government-approved treatment centre, in line with National treatment protocols and If Negative, the Passenger shall continue to remain in quarantine
and made to undergo a repeat PCR test on Day-7 of their quarantine”.
It added that passenger(s) arriving in Nigeria from other destinations must observe a seven-day self-isolation at their final destination; carry out a COVID-19 PCR test on day 7 at selected laboratory; and shall be monitored for compliance to isolation protocol by appropriate authorities.
According to the guidelines, passenger(s) who provided false or misleading contact information will be liable to prosecution.
Persons willfully disregarding or refusing to comply with the directions of Port-Health staff, security agencies or evade quarantine shall be prosecuted.
The committee equally directed that State Governments are required to ensure that all returning travellers from all countries are monitored to ensure adherence to the mandatory seven-day self-isolation period and the repeat COVID-19 PCR test on the seventh day after arrival.
Meanwhile, the Committee carried out a risk assessment of countries with high incidence of cases. The risk assessment took into consideration the epidemiology of cases, prevalence of variants of concern and average passenger volume between Nigeria and each country amongst other indicators.
Of the countries assessed, this interim travel advisory applies to three countries in the first instance.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
