TheCable

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has refuted media reports alleging that the federal government, through the NCAA, is planning to ban travellers without proof of COVID-19 vaccination from both local and international flights.

According to the reports, the ban is to take effect from December 1, 2021.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Sam Adurogboye, NCAA spokesperson, said that no such directive emanated from the federal government.

“Therefore, the authority is calling on the public to discountenance such news as there is no iota of truth in it,” he said.

“On the other hand, we want to enjoin purveyor of such unfounded news to cross-check facts before publishing.”

He said the authority would continue to support all federal government’s initiatives to curb the spread of the Delta variant.

“However, we expect strict adherence to safety protocols in and out of the airports by wearing our facemask, washing our hands periodically, using alcohol-based hand sanitiser, maintaining social distance and avoiding crowded space,” the NCAA spokesperson added.

Last two weeks, the NCAA directed foreign airlines to board passengers travelling to Nigeria who are unable to show evidence of payment for a repeat COVID-19 test.

Musa Nuhu, director-general of the NCAA, said some travellers were finding it difficult to fill their health and travel history into the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP).