FG relaxes COVID-19 rules for fully vaccinated inbound travelers into Nigeria
Inbound travelers into Nigeria will no longer be required to take a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 tests provided they have been fully vaccinated, the Federal Government has said.
This was disclosed by the Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, in a briefing on Monday.
According to Mustapha, fully vaccinated passengers will only be required to take a sample at the airport for rapid antigen test within the arrival hall of the airport.
He however said unvaccinated or partially vaccinated inbound travellers are still expected to take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure, or do a Day 2 and day 7 test on arrival.
“We still have the National Response in place as we continue to monitor global trends and adapt them with our situation in country. There has been a consistent decline in number of cases around the world but that does not give us the leverage to let our guards down yet because there are predictions of rebounds as we can see in China, South Korea, Germany, Vietnam, France, Hong Kong, etc. In fact, China has reintroduced lockdowns in some cities due to the spike in cases,” he said.
“However, the PSC has reviewed these situations around the world and applies such to the situation in Nigeria and have revised the International Travel Protocols, which should come into effect on Monday, 4th April, 2022 as follows:
i. In-bound (fully vaccinated) passengers arriving in Nigeria will no longer be required to take a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 Test;
ii. On arrival, for fully vaccinated passengers, a sample will be taken at the airport for rapid antigen test by the NCDC within the arrival hall of the airport;
iii. Passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated shall take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure, or do a Day 2 and day 7 test on arrival. Such passengers will be expected to pay for their PCR tests through the travel platform;
iv. Fully vaccinated passengers will not be charged for arrival rapid antigen tests at the airport;
v. Rules that apply to fully vaccinated adults also apply to children aged 10 – 18 years; they will not be required to have pre-arrival PCR tests but will have a sample taken at the arrival hall but not charged;
vi. All passengers travelling out of Nigeria are encouraged to be fully vaccinated and to fully comply with COVID-19 protocols and requirements in their country of destination.
vii. The PSC continues to strongly recommend the use of face masks in enclosed environments. In open spaced, the use of face masks is discretional.”
