Incoming passengers to Nigeria must now perform a COVID-19
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), test three days before boarding, the
Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 has said.
The test detects the presence of a virus if one is infected
at the time of the test. The test could also detect fragments of virus even
after one is no longer infected.
The PSC chairman and Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja
According to him, this is part of the new reviewed travel
restrictions in the country.
”Passengers must perform a COVID-19 PCR test not more than
three days (72 hours) before boarding.
‘PCR test done more than 72 hours before departure is not
valid and person will not be allowed to board. Rapid antigen or antibody test
are not acceptable; only PCR test can be used for this purpose.
“Test validity commences from the time of sample collection.
For passengers with multiple connections before arrival in Nigeria,” he said.
He said that the PCR test must be valid within 72 hours of
boarding from the first point of departure.
According to him, 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.
The PSC chairman also said that foreigners without PCR test
would be deported.
He insisted 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 said that the should after proceed to fill in the online
Health Declaration/Self-Reporting form located on the portal and they should
ensure that the information/contact details provided on the form were correct
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 cost to the carrier airline.
“Passengers who are Nigerians or holders of permanent
resident permit will be allowed entry.
“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, South Africa within 14 days, they 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.
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