Following the decrease in COVID-19 cases, the Nigerian government has relaxed travel protocols for air passengers and other stakeholders. Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation, made the announcement on Monday via his official Twitter handle @hadisirika.
He tweeted, “Glad to announce that Government has abolished Permission to travel QR code. Use of face masks is now discretionary and travel PCR tests are suspended. Aviation will boom once again.”
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The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) detailed the revised travel protocol in a letter dated December 12, 2022. The letter, signed by NCAA Director-General Captain Musa Nuhu, was sent to all aviation service providers.
The letter is titled, “Revised COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines for all Aviation Service Providers (Domestic and International Operations).”
The letter reads, “The prevalence of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and most parts of the world has remained at a low level for a sustained period. The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC) has therefore revised the COVID-19/ Public Health guidelines.”
For domestic operations, it stated, “The wearing of facemasks inside airport terminal buildings and onboard aircraft by airport workers, passengers, and crew members is no longer mandatory. Wearing facemasks by passengers onboard aircraft or inside airport terminal buildings is discretionary but recommended.
“Persons aged 60 years and above, immunocompromised (e g. due to organ transplant, cancer, etc), those with co-morbidities (eg. heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, etc), are advised to use facemasks, wash their hands with water and soap, use hand alcohol-based sanitisers, and avoid large gatherings.”
“Disinfection of bags at the entrance of terminal buildings is no longer required. Airlines are therefore required to resume serving catering (meals and drinks) on board aircraft. Maintaining social distancing at airport terminal buildings is no longer mandatory.
“Facilities and conveyances are advised to maintain good environmental hygiene, good ventilation, and encourage good hand and respiratory hygiene. The use of alcohol-based sanitiser by passengers and airport workers is recommended. Boarding and disembarkation protocols are to be maintained.
The NCAA stated that all domestic requirements would apply to international operations.
For COVID-19 travel testing, it stated, “Pre-departure and post-arrival COVID-19 PCR tests are no longer required for all passengers irrespective of vaccination status. PCR tests required for all passengers who are partially or not fully vaccinated have been suspended.”
For the health declaration form, NCAA said, “Permission to travel QR code is no longer required. 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).
“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. All other COVID-19 quarantine/travel requirements are hereby made optional.”
Furthermore, the NCAA stated that the current All Operators Letter (AOL) supersedes previous AOLs issued on COVID-19 for domestic and international operations.
It stated that all aviation service providers are required to comply with the above requirements and that any aviation service provider who fails to comply with the AOL will face appropriate sanctions. It also stated that AOL is effective immediately.
