The Presidential Steering Committee, (PSC), has said incoming passengers must now perform a COVID-19, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), test three days before boarding.
The test which has been made mandatory detects the presence of a virus if a person is infected with the virus at the time of the test. The test could also detect fragments of the virus even after an individual shows no symptoms of the infection.
Mr Boss Mustapha, the PSC chairman and Secretary to the Government (SGF of the Federation, stated this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
The SGF explained that this was part of the new reviewed travel restrictions in the country.
Asserting that Passengers must perform a COVID-19 PCR test not more than three days (72 hours) before boarding. He stressed that a PCR test that is done more than 72 hours before departure wouldn’t be valid and a person will not be allowed to board, adding that a Rapid antigen or antibody test would not be acceptable.
“Test validity commences from the time of sample collection. For passengers with multiple connections before arrival in Nigeria. The PCR test must be valid within 72 hours of boarding from the first point of departure passengers must bring along an electronic or hard copy of their COVID-19 PCR test for presentation at the departure airport and upon arrival in Nigeria.” He said
The PSC Chairman also reiterated that foreigners without PCR test would be deported, insisting that all intending passengers (including diplomats and children less than 10 years old) must register via an online national travel portal (Nigeria International Travel Portal – https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng).
He also said that individuals should after proceed, fill in the online Health Declaration/Self-Reporting form located on the portal and d ensure that the information/contact details provided on the form were accurate and verifiable.
”Foreign passport and non-resident in Nigeria, arriving in Nigeria without a valid PCR result (either no PCR result or a forged COVID-19 PCR result or a non-PCR COVID-19 test will be denied entry into the country and arrangements made for immediate deportation at a cost to the carrier airline.
“Airlines shall be fined USD 3,500 per passenger for failure to comply with any of the pre-boarding requirements; airlines who consistently fail to comply with the above requirements may be banned from coming to Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, passengers, who visited Turkey, Brazil, India, and South Africa within 14 days, will be denied entry into Nigeria. Non-Nigerian passport holders and non-residents whose days preceding travel to Nigeria shall be denied entry into Nigeria,” the SGF stated. (NAN)
