Fully-vaccinated travelers entering Nigeria will no longer be required to take the pre-departure PCR COVID-19 test, according to the federal government. ayokinews.com reports
This was made known by Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, while speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
Although, there has been a constant drop in the number of cases throughout the world, the PSC chairman stated that the resurgence infections in countries such as China and South Korea should not be a justification to entirely relax safety procedures.
According to him, the PSC has evaluated global situations and therefore changed the international travel policy, which is set to take effect on April 4th.
“In-bound (fully vaccinated) passengers arriving in Nigeria will no longer be required to take a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 test,” he said.
“On arrival, for fully vaccinated passengers, a sample will be taken at the airport for rapid antigen test by the NCDC within the arrival hall of the airport.”
“Passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated shall take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure, or do a day 2 and day 7 test on arrival. Such passengers will be expected to pay for their PCR tests through the travel platform.”
“Fully vaccinated passengers will not be charged for arrival rapid antigen tests at the airport.”
Mustapha went on to say that the same laws that apply to fully vaccinated adults also apply to youngsters aged 10 to 18, who will not be required to do pre-arrival PCR testing and will instead have a sample obtained at the airport but will not be charged.
“All passengers travelling out of Nigeria are encouraged to be fully vaccinated and to fully comply with COVID-19 protocol and requirements in their country of destination,” he said.
“The PSC continues to strongly recommend the use of face masks in enclosed environments. In open spaces, the use of face masks is discretional.”
