By Favour Nnabugwu
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ,NCAA, has warned airlines operating into the country to adhere strictly to the newly revised COVID-19 Provisional Quarantine protocols.
This is just as the regulator has imposed a fine of $3,500 dollars per passenger for non-compliance with the new requirements and outright ban of airline that consistently flout the new travel rules.
Issuing the warning in an All Operators Letter(AOL) with reference NCAA/DG/AIR/16/327 dated December 3rd, 2021 , addressed to all accountable managers and signed by the Director-General NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, reminded all airlines that protocols for international flight operations and quarantine protocols for travellers arriving Nigeria issued on July 1, 2021still subsists.
Captain Nuhu also said in the revised protocols that for, ”Inbound passengers: Airlines are only to board passengers travelling to Nigeria who are in possession of a paid permit to travel with a QR Code and a result of a negative COVID-19 test done not later than 48 hours from the time of boarding.
“For any inbound passenger who is unable to either make payment for his/her repeat PCR test(s) or generate a paid permit to travel via the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP), airlines are to send an email to directorporthealthfmoh@gmail.com and copy travelportal@ncdc.gov.ng. ictservicedesk@ncdc.gov.ng, ilfred.haggai@ncaa.gov.gn for necessary assistance”.
“For outbound passengers, Airlines are only to board passengers out of Nigeria with evidence of either full vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test done at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) accredited laboratories not later than 48hours from time of boarding.”
The regulator also warned that violation of the above travel directives will cost the airline $3500 for any individual passenger or earn them a ban from flying into Nigeria.
” Non-compliance to these pre-boarding requirements by any airline will attract a penalty of $3,500 per passenger. Airlines who consistently fail to comply with these requirements may be banned from coming to Nigeria,” Captain Nuhu warned.
