TheCable

The federal government has directed that fully vaccinated persons entering the country must present negative results of COVID tests taken before arrival in Nigeria.

Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and chairman of the presidential steering committee (PSC) on COVID-19, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

The SGF had earlier said the government would revise the travel protocol for international passengers.

The development comes days after the United Kingdom relaxed travel restriction for Nigerians who have been fully vaccinated.

The UK government had said fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria will be able to visit the UK without presenting pre-departure test results, undertaking a day eight test or self-isolating for 10 days.

The policy, the UK said, applies to those fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca (including Covidshield), Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) doses.

However, according to Mustapha, fully vaccinated travellers entering Nigeria must show negative COVID test results obtained not more than 72 hours before boarding.

“Travellers arriving in Nigeria must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted not more than 72hours before boarding,” the statement reads.

“Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated in-bound passengers will be required to observe a mandatory 7-day self-isolation in addition to a COVID-19 PCR test on days 2 and 7 after arrival.

“Fully vaccinated in-bound passengers will not be required to observe the mandatory 7-days self-isolation but will be required to do a COVID-19 PCR test on day 2 of arrival.

“Persons arriving on ‘Business’ trip or on official duty staying less than 7 days in Nigeria must; be fully vaccinated; produce negative COVID-19 PCR result 72hours before boarding; and conduct a PCR test on day 2 of their arrival.

“It will be recalled that the PSC Chairman, Boss Mustapha, had during the national briefing, promised that a revised travel protocol would be published.

“The review of the protocol is based on science, national experience, and global developments.”