The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 issued a new international travel guideline that removes mandatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for fully vaccinated visitors and imposes stiff penalties for unvaccinated travelers who violate the new rules.
The ‘Provisional Travel Protocol for Travelers Arriving Nigeria,’ issued on Sunday morning by the Chairman of the PSC and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, also prescribes sanctions for airlines that bring violators of the new rules, which take effect on Monday, April 4, 2022.
Mustapha stated that the new guideline for fully vaccinated travelers would apply to travelers aged 10 to 18 years.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated international travelers, he said, would still be required to take the PCR test 48 hours before flying to Nigeria.
“This protocol is a revision of the Travel Protocol released on 29th November 2021 Interim Travel Guidelines for Passengers arriving in Nigeria.
“In-bound passengers to Nigeria, who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, are no longer required to carry out COVID-19 PCR test before boarding Nigeria-bound flights.
“Fully vaccinated passengers arriving in Nigeria will not also be required to carry out Post arrival PCR test or a Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival in Nigeria.
“Children below the age of 18 years will be accorded the same privileges as persons who are fully vaccinated.
“In-bound Passengers who are unvaccinated or partially-vaccinated for COVID-19 shall take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure and undergo Days 2 and 7 post-arrival PCR tests at their own cost.
He added that all in-bound passengers must register via the online Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP– https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng).
