Breaking: All travelers must test for COVID-19 before arrival

The Nigerian government has announced that all travelers into the country must test for COVID-19 before arrival into the country.

In a statement from the Presidential Task-Force on COVID-19 on Friday, June 12, 2020, the FG said all travelers into Nigeria must test negative for the coronavirus before being allowed to board flights into the country.

For departure and onboard, the statement said: “Passengers arriving/returning to Nigeria must have tested negative for COVID-19 (pre-boarding PCR test in country of departure). PCR test must be within two weeks before departure and preferably 5 days pre-boarding.

“Tests done more than two weeks before depature are not valid and passengers will not be allowed to board; but for the 5 days minimum, this is advisory and will not preclude boarding.

“On board, passengers are required to fill the Health Declaration/Self-Reporting form and the Sample Collection Time Allocation Form.

“Passengers should ensure that the information/contact details provided on the form are correct, verifiable, and they can be reached by the phone number and address provided”.

On arrival, the FG said all passengers must queue orderly and that disembarkation will will be done in batches to avoid overcrowding.

“Upon arrival in Nigeria, passengers shall queue in an orderly manner and disembarkation shall be done systematically and in batches to avoid overcrowding.

“Passengers will proceed for health screening at the point of entry.

“The Health Declaration Form will be assessed and collected along with the Sample Collection Form.

“Passengers are requested to keep their face masks on and perform hand hygiene.

“Ensure respiratory/cough etiquette; cough into tissue/bent elbow and discard tissue into a a bin; and always observe and and maintain physical distancing measures.

“Persons who have arrived in Nigeria are advised to self-isolate for 14 days and to remain in the City/State where the Point of Entry is located (i.e. Lagos or Abuja) throughout the duration of self-quarantine.

“If not resident in Lagos or Abuja, passengers shall make arrangements for accommodation at their own cost (please note that the Federal Government will not be responsible for providing accommodation nor transportation to the place of abode).

“Passengers will be cleared through the Nigeria Immigration System’s Migrants Identification Data Analysis System (MIDAS) and their passports retained until after successful completion of the 14 days self-quarantine.

“They will be given an appointment time and date to present themselves at the Sample Collection Centre located in Lagos or Abuja for a repeat COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival.

“Passengers must provide their full and correct address and phone number before exiting the airport. They must comply with self-isolation/quarantine guidelines and ensure that they can be reached/can be located during the period.

“Persons who are unable to remain in Lagos or Abuja throughout the period of self-quarantine may return to their States of residence ONLY after: (a) They have had their samples collected and are NEGATIVE for COVID-19; and (b) They have provided Public Health Officials with their full and correct address and phone number where they can be reached.

“Persons who have completed the 14 days of self-isolation/quarantine will undergo an exit interview. Their details will be forwarded to the Nigeria Immigration Service for release of their passports. Alternative arrangements can be made to collect passports via Special delivery e.g. DHL.” the statement said.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced 681 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, June 11, 2020.

The total number of confirmed cases of the virus rose to 14,554. nearly 5, 000 persons infected have been discharged, while 387 have died from the virus.

The government recently announced that airports will reopen for local travel on June 21, 2020.