The Federal Government has given Nigerians returning from the war torn Ukraine waiver on the 48 hours pre-departure Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test requirement and others.
An All Operator Letter (AOL) by Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with the reference number: NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/339, dated February 28, 2022 to the Accountable Manager/Country Manager of all airlines operating international flights to Nigeria said that the waivers were necessary in view of the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine.
Also, upon arrival in Nigeria, the government said the passengers would however carry out the Covid-19 PCR test, which must be done within 24 hours of arrival, but without cost to the passengers.
The AOL, which was made available to our correspondent, said that the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Covid-19 directed that all airlines boarding passengers travelling to Nigeria with proof of having left Ukraine were covered by the new protocol.
Apart from the 48 hours pre-departure, the PSC also granted waiver from the requirement to all pre-departure filing of the Nigerian International Travel Portal (NITP), payment for repeat test in Nigeria and generation of permit to fly code.
It however said passengers would be required to fill the NITP upon their arrival in Nigeria with the assistance of the Port Health Services (PHS).
The AOL added: “Upon arriving in Nigeria, passengers will be directed by the Port Health Services to designated government laboratories for Covid-19 PCR test. The Covid-19 PCR test, which must be done within 24 hours of arrival, will be at no cost to the passengers.”
