Incoming passengers to take covid-19 test three days before boarding

The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) has disclosed that incoming passengers must now perform a COVID-19, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), test three days before boarding.

The test detects the presence of a virus if a person is infected at the time of the test. The test could also detect fragments of virus even after they are no longer infected.

The PSC chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja

According to him, this is part of the new reviewed travel restrictions in the country.

”Passengers must perform a COVID-19 PCR test not more than three days (72 hours) before boarding.

‘PCR test done more than 72 hours before departure is not valid and person will not be allowed to board. Rapid antigen or antibody test are not acceptable; only PCR test can be used for this purpose.

“Test validity commences from the time of sample collection. For passengers with multiple connections before arrival in Nigeria,” he said.

He said that the PCR test must be valid within 72 hours of boarding from the first point of departure.

According to him, passengers must bring along an electronic or hard copy of their COVID-19 PCR test for presentation at the departure airport and upon arrival in Nigeria.

The PSC chairman also said that foreigners without PCR test would be deported.

Read also: No COVID-19 Delta Variant in Nigeria yet —NCDC

He insisted that all intending passengers (including diplomats and children less than 10 years old) must register via an online national travel portal.

”Foreign passport and non-resident in Nigeria, arriving in Nigeria without a valid PCR result (either no PCR result or a forged COVID-19 PCR result or a non-PCR COVID-19 test will be denied entry into the country and arrangements made for immediate deportation at cost to the carrier airline.

“Passengers who are Nigerians or holders of permanent resident permit will be allowed entry.

“Airlines shall be fined USD 3,500 per passenger for failure to comply with any of the pre- boarding requirements; airlines who consistently fail to comply with the above requirements may be banned from coming to Nigeria,” he said

According to him, passengers, who visited Turkey, Brazil, India, South Africa within 14 days, they will be denied entry into Nigeria.

“Non-Nigerian passport holders and non-residents whose days preceding travel to Nigeria, shall be denied entry into Nigeria,” the SGF stated.

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