FG Announces the Suspension of Mandatory Covid-19 Test for Travellers

The Federal Government through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on Monday said pre-arrival or post-arrival testing for COVID-19 was no longer a prerequisite for travellers, “irrespective of vaccination status.”

Investors King understands that before now, travellers are expected to show proof of taking Covid 19 PCR test. Airline passengers were required to have done the test within 48 hours of departure while they must also engage in a mandatory 2-day post-arrival Covid 19 PCR test.

However, the review of travel protocols is due to the significant reduction in the global cases of Covid 19 pandemic. 

A memo that was sent to all airline operators, among other stakeholders in the aviation industry by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed that the prevalence of the pandemic in the country and “most parts of the world has remained at a low level for a sustained period”. 

The memo partially read “COVID-19 Travel Testing: Pre-departure and post-arrival COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction tests are no longer required for all passengers irrespective of vaccination status. The PCR tests required for all passengers who are partially/not fully vaccinated have been suspended.”

Additionally, passengers on board aircraft are no longer mandatory to wear no masks. Passengers who nonetheless prefer to wear a nose mask are free to do so. 

Similarly, the disinfection of bags at the entrance of terminal buildings is no longer required while airlines are directed to resume serving meals and drinks on board aircraft.

However, the memo noted that persons aged 60 years and above, those who are immunocompromised, and those with co-morbidities are advised to continue the use of facemasks, and should “wash their hands with water and soap, use hand alcohol-based sanitisers, and avoid large gatherings. 

Meanwhile, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disclosed that Nigerians in the diaspora coming home are free to travel with an expired or non-expired passport. 

The immigration service clarified that no Nigerian needs a travel certificate to come back home except children whose parents were Nigerians but their identities were yet to be established according to immigration rules.