As flights resume, what arriving passengers must do before and after boarding 

As the federal government through the relevant airport authorities makes plans towards the resumption of international flights in Nigeria on August 29, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has issued revised quarantine protocol for passengers arriving in Nigeria from abroad including returnees and stranded Nigerians.

Passengers arriving or returning to Nigeria must have tested negative for COVID-19 (pre-boarding PCR test in the country of departure).

The PCR test must be within two weeks before departure and preferably no less than five days to boarding.

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.

Onboard, passengers are required to fill in the Health Declaration/Self-Reporting Form and the Sample Collection Time Allocation Form.

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Passengers should ensure that the information/contact details provided on the form are correct and are verifiable and they can be reached on the phone number and at the 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.

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 a 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 14days 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.

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.

They will be given an appointment time and date to present at the Sample Collection Centre located in Lagos or Abuja for a repeat COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival.

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 and 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 have provided public health officials with their full and correct address and phone number where they can be reached.

Persons who have completed the 14 days of self-isolation/quarantine will undergo an exit interview. Their details will be forwarded to the Nigeria Immigration Service for the release of their passports. Alternative arrangements can be made to collect passports via Special delivery e.g.DHL.

FG asks airlines to get ready for resumption of international flights …