TheCable

The federal government says pre-arrival or post-arrival testing for COVID is no longer required for travellers, “irrespective of vaccination status”.

The development was annonced in a letter by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), dated December 12, 2022, and addressed to airline operators.

“COVID-19 Travel Testing: Pre-departure and Post-arrival COVID-19 PCR tests are no longer required for all passengers irrespective of vaccination status. PCR tests required for all passengers who are partially/not fully vaccinated have been suspended,” the letter, signed by Musa Nuhu, NCAA director-general, reads.

Aside from the suspension of COVID tests, wearing of face masks is no longer mandatory for passengers on board aircraft, but recommended for persons at risk of severe illness.

“The wearing of face mask inside airport terminal buildings and on board aircraft by airport workers, passengers, and crew members is no longer mandatory. Wearing of face mask by passengers on board aircraft or inside airport terminal buildings is discretionary but recommended,” the letter reads.

“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.

“Facilities and conveyances are advised to maintain good environmental hygiene, good ventilation, and encourage good hand and respiratory hygiene.

“The use of alcohol-based sanitizer by passengers and airport workers is recommended.

“Boarding and disembarkation protocols are to be maintained.”

Also, the declaration form travellers entering Nigeria are expected to fill on their health status has also now been replaced with a health questionnaire.

“Declaration form. Permission to travel/ QR code is no longer required. A simplified health questionnaire form (non-COVlD-19 specific) shall be completed by all passengers travelling to Nigeria preferably pre-departure on the Nigerian International Travel Portal (NITP),” NCAA said.

“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.

“All other COVID-19 quarantine/travel requirements are hereby made optional.

“This AOL supersedes previous AOLs issued on COVID-19 for domestic and international operations.”

Meanwhile, the development comes months after the federal government scrapped post-arrival tests for fully vaccinated travellers.