The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has drastically revised COVID-19 public health protocols following the low level of infection for a sustained period.
Wearing of face masks by passengers onboard aircraft or inside airport terminal buildings is now “discretionary but recommended”, while airlines are to resume serving catering (meals and drinks) on board.
According to NCAA’s directive to aviation service providers, signed by the Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu, pre-departure and post-arrival COVID-19 PCR tests are no longer required for all passengers irrespective of vaccination status, while the requirement of PCR tests for all passengers who are partially/not fully vaccinated have been suspended.
The document also stipulated that it is no longer mandatory to maintain social distancing at airport terminal buildings.
However, the use of alcohol-based sanitizer by passengers and airport workers is recommended, while boarding and disembarkation protocols are to be maintained,
The directive reads:
Preamble
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 as follows:
- Domestic Operations
1. Mask Mandate:
a. The wearing of facemask inside Airport terminal buildings and onboard aircraft by airport workers, passengers, and crew members is no longer mandatory. Wearing of facemask by passengers onboard aircraft or inside Airport terminal buildings is discretionary but recommended
b. Persons aged 60 years and above, immunocompromised (e.g. due to organ transplant, cancer, etc), those with co-morbidities (e.g. Heart disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, etc), are advised to use facemasks, wash their hands with water and soap, use hand alcohol-based sanitizers, and avoid large
2. Disinfection of bags at the entrance of terminal buildings is no longer
3. Airlines are therefore required to resume serving catering (meals and drinks) on board
4. Maintaining social distancing at airport terminal buildings is no longer mandatory
5. Facilities and conveyances are advised to maintain good environmental hygiene, good ventilation, and encourage good hand and respiratory hygiene
6. The use of alcohol-based sanitizer by passengers and airport workers is recommended
7. Boarding and disembarkation protocols are to be maintained
International Operations
-
- All requirements in ‘A’ above shall apply
- COVID-19 Travel Testing: 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/not fully vaccinated have been suspended.
- HeaIth Declaration form: Permission to travel/ QR code is no longer required. A simplified Health Qusetionnaire 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 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.
- AII other COVID-19 quarantine/travel requirements are hereby made optional.
This AOL supersedes previous A0Ls issued on COVID-19 for domestic and international operations.
Action Required:
All Aviation Service Providers are hereby required to comply with the above requirements.
Non-compliance by any Aviation Service provider with this AOL (All Operators Letter) shall attract appropriate sanctions.
This AOL shall be effective immediately.
