On December 27, 2020, the Federal Government vide the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 issued strategic travel terms and conditions specifically to flights originating from the United Kingdom and South Africa where new strains of the pandemic have been discovered.
Some aviation experts, who shared their views on the development hailed the government for coming up on time unlike the previous scenario where the damage had been done before catch-up efforts started to come up.
The PTF made it clear in the statement that “This provisional quarantine protocol is specific to passengers departing from the United Kingdom and
Republic of South Africa and has been issued in response to the emergence Of the new variant SARS- Cov-2 coronavirus strain. It is an update to the earlier released quarantine protocol of 18th September,
“Prior to boarding for Nigeria, passengers departing from the United Kingdom and Republic of South Africa MUST present TWO documents at their point of departure to be allowed to board;
“A negative COVID.19 PCR test administered within 4 days (96 hours) Of departure. Airlines have been directed not to board passengers with non-PCR COVID-19 tests (such as antigen/or antibody tests), positive COVID-19 PCR tests or tests performed beyond 96 hours of boarding;
“Permit to Travel Certificate/QR Code showing evidence of having paid for the day-7 COVID19 PCR in-country test prior to boarding. The certificate can be generated from the Nigeria International Travel Portal on completion of a health questionnaire, uploading of a negative COVID.19 PCR result and payment for the repeat day-7 COVID-19 PCR test at day-7 of arrival in Nigeria,
“All passengers arriving Nigeria MUST self-isolate for 7 days at their chosen place of abode, self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and thereafter proceed for a COVID-19 PCR test. Passengers can exit self- isolation on receipt of a negative COVID-19 PCR test performed at day-7 of isolation. Children less than 10 years old do not require a COVID-19 PCR test pre-boarding.
