NCAA reverses no Yellow card, no boarding policy, insists on vaccination of passengers at points of entry

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Thursday reversed the requirements for compulsory possession of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) otherwise known as yellow card for passengers coming into the country over the outbreak of Coronavirus.

The NCAA in a memo signed by Dr. WT Haggai, its Director of Aeromedical and sent to airlines operating regional and international flights, said passengers without the yellow card should be allowed to board flights.

However, it implored the airlines to advise passengers that they would be vaccinated accordingly at Points of Entry and the process for obtaining the e-yellow card would be initiated.

According to the agency, the new directive is subsequent to a letter from the Federal Ministry of Health, prioritising measures for the containment of the Coronavirus.

The memo read: “This policy shift followed a letter received from the Federal Ministry of Health dated March 11, 2020 reviewing the implementation of the operationalisation of Nigeria Points of Entry policy on the prevention and control of the cross border transmission of Yellow fever.

“The review of the policy arose from the competing priority of the ongoing entry screening of our Points of Entry by the Port Health Services for COVID-19.

“Hence, entry screening of passengers due to the COVID-19 outbreak will be prioritised by the Port Health Services until the outbreak has been effectively contained.”

The review of the yellow card procedure took effect on March 11.

It added: “Passengers coming to Nigeria without documented proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever (valid yellow card) are allowed to board.

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“But be advised that they will be vaccinated accordingly at Points of Entry and the process for obtaining the e-yellow card will be initiated;

“For passengers departing Nigeria, a valid Yellow card will be required for boarding.

“Airlines are to communicate this policy to their passengers accordingly and; this policy review is with effect from March 11, 2020.

“It will be recalled that the Authority had issued a letter to the concerned operators on the above subject referenced NCAA/DG/AMS/74/Vol. III/44 dated February 10, 2020.”

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