Air passengers arriving or returning to Nigeria must have tested negative for COVID-19 (pre-boarding PCR test in country of departure).
This is as PCR test must be within two weeks before departure and preferably not less than five days pre-boarding.
In a statement issued by the presidential task force on covid-19 office of the secretary to the government of the federation, it stated that tests done more than two weeks before departure are not valid and persons will not be allowed to board; but for the five days minimum, this is advisory and will not preclude boarding.
According to the statement, on board, passengers are required to fill in the Health Declaration/Self-Reporting Form & the Sample Collection Time Allocation Form and passengers should ensure that the information/contact details provided on the form are correct, verifiable and they can be reached on the phone number and address provided.
“Upon arrival in Nigeria, passengers shall queue in an orderly manner and disembarkation will be done systematically and in batches to avoid overcrowding, passengers will proceed for health screening at the Point of Entry and the Health Declaration Form will be assessed and collected along with the Sample Collection Form.
“Passengers are requested to keep their face masks on; perform hand hygiene; ensure respiratory/cough etiquette; cough into tissue, sleeve/bent elbow and discard used tissue safely into a bin; and always observe and maintain physical distancing measures.
“Persons who have arrived in Nigeria are advised to self-isolate for 14 days and to remain in the City/State where the Point of Entry is located (i.e. Lagos or Abuja) throughout the duration of self-quarantine. If not resident in Lagos or Abuja, passengers shall make arrangements for accommodation at their own cost (please note that the Federal Government will not be responsible for providing accommodation nor transportation to the place of abode),” the statement reads.
The statement further explained that passengers will be cleared through the Nigeria Immigration System’s Migrants Identification Data Analysis System (MIDAS) and their passports retained until after successful completion of the 14 days self-quarantine and they will be given an appointment time and date to present themselves at the Sample Collection Centre located in Lagos or Abuja for a repeat COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival.
The presidential task force on covid-19 further stated that Passengers must provide their full and correct address and phone number before exiting the airport. They must comply with self-isolation/quarantine guidelines and ensure that they can be reached/can be located during the period.
Persons who are unable to remain in Lagos or Abuja throughout the period of self-quarantine may return to their States of residence only after they have had their samples collected and are negative for COVID-19; and they have provided Public Health Officials with their full and correct address and phone number where they can be reached.
The statement stated that persons who have completed the 14 days of self-isolation/quarantine will undergo an exit interview and their details will be forwarded to the Nigeria Immigration Service for release of their passports and alternative arrangements can be made to collect passports via Special delivery e.g. DHL.
