• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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FG cancels COVID-19 PCR irrespective of vaccination status

FG cancels COVID-19 PCR irrespective of vaccination status

 

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reviewed the COVID-19 health guidelines for the aviation industry, cancelling COVID-19 PCR irrespective of vaccination status.

The aviation regulatory body in its revised COVID-19 public health guidelines for all aviation service providers for both domestic and international operations signed by Musa Nuhu, the director-general of NCAA, said the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and most parts of the world has remained at a low level for a sustained period.

He explained that the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 revised public health guidelines.

For domestic operations, the PSC he stated mandated that the wearing of facemasks inside airport terminal buildings and onboard aircraft by airport workers, passengers, and crew members is no longer mandatory, stressing that wearing of “facemasks by passengers onboard aircraft or inside airport terminal buildings is discretionary but recommended”.

Persons aged 60 years and above, immune-compromised, and those with co-morbidities are advised to use face masks, wash their hands with water and soap, use hand alcohol-based sanitisers and avoid large gatherings.

Read also: Covid-19 exposed fractions in aviation industry – Nuhu

Also no longer required is the disinfection of bags at the entrance of terminal buildings and maintenance of social distancing at airport terminal buildings.

The PSC equally mandated airlines to resume serving catering (meals and drinks) onboard aircraft while the use of alcohol-based sanitiser by passengers and airport workers is recommended.

For international operations, the same requirements as domestic operations are to be applied.

Pre-departure and post-arrival COVID-19 PCR tests have been abolished and are no longer required for all passengers irrespective of vaccination status while PCR tests required for all passengers who are partially or not fully vaccinated have equally been suspended.

Equally significant is that health declaration forms and permission to travel/QR code are no longer required.

Nuhu however stated that a simplified health questionnaire form (non-COVID-19 specific) shall be completed by all passengers travelling to Nigeria preferably pre-departure on the Nigerian International Travel Portal (NITP).

He explained that passengers who fail to fill the health questionnaire on the NITP pre-departure will be required to fill the health questionnaire either onboard the aircraft prior to landing or at the airport terminal building upon arrival.

He warned that failure by any aviation service provider to comply with all Operators Letter (AOL) shall attract appropriate sanction, adding, “This AOL shall be effective immediately”.