Politics
By Anthony Isibor.
… travelers from Brazil, India, Turkey to be denied entry to Nigeria
PRESIDENTIAL Steering Committee on COVID-19 has issued new travel directives for passengers arriving in Nigeria from other countries.
The statement, which was signed by Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation and chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, also advised Nigerians to avoid any non-essential international travels to any country at this period and specifically to countries that are showing a rising number of cases and deaths.
The new travel guidelines which are expected to take effect from Tuesday, May 4, shall be subject to review after an initial period of four weeks.
The committee said its decision was due to observations from weeks of monitoring the increasing trend of COVID-19 cases in several countries, with additional focus on countries with high incidence, the fatality rate, and widespread prevalence of variants of concern.
“In our effort to continue to safeguard the health of the Nigerian population, as well as to minimize the risk of a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria, the Presidential Steering Committee carried out a risk assessment of countries with a high incidence of cases.
“The risk assessment took into consideration the epidemiology of cases, the prevalence of Variants of concern, and the average passenger the volume between Nigeria and each country amongst other indicators of the countries assessed.
It said that after due considerations, the following precautionary measures were approved to ensure the safety of Nigerians and minimize the risk of a surge in COVID-19 cases introduced to Nigeria from other countries, while national response activities continue.
The validity period of the pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test for all Nigeria-bound passengers was reduced from 96hrs to 72 hours.
It said that “Henceforth PCR test results older than 72hours before departure shall not be accepted”.
It also gave specific guidelines for passengers arriving from Brazil, India, and Turkey.
“Any person, who has visited Brazil, India, or Turkey within Fourteen (14) days preceding travel to Nigeria, shall be denied entry into Nigeria. This regulation, however, does not apply to passengers who transited through these countries.
It said that airlines who failed to comply with the directives shall be made to: “Mandatorily pay a penalty of $3,500 (Three Thousand Five Hundred dollars) for each defaulting passenger.
“Non-Nigerians will be denied entry and returned to the country of embarkation at a cost to the Airline.
“Nigerians and those with the permanent resident permit shall undergo seven (7) days of mandatory quarantine in a Government approved facility at the point-of-entry city and at a cost to the passenger.
It also said that such passengers, “Within 24 hours of arrival shall take a COVID-19 PCR test.
“If positive, the passenger shall be admitted within a government-approved treatment center, in line with National treatment protocols.
“If Negative, the Passenger shall continue to remain in quarantine and made to undergo a repeat PCR test on day 7 of their quarantine.
It also said that passengers arriving in Nigeria from other destinations “Must observe a 7-day self-isolation at their final destination, Carry out a COVID-19 PCR test on day 7 at a selected laboratory while being monitored for compliance to isolation protocol by appropriate authorities, it said.
The committee also insisted that Passenger(s) who provided false or misleading contact information will be liable to prosecution. Person(s) who willfully disregard or refuse to comply with directions of Port-Health staff, security agencies, or evade quarantine shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
State governments were also required to ensure that all returning travelers from ‘ALL’ countries are monitored to ensure adherence to the mandatory seven-day self-isolation period and the repeat COVID-19 PCR test on the seventh day after arrival.
The committee urges members of the public to adhere to all COVID-19 preventive measures in place including adherence to the national travel protocol, proper use of face masks, regular hand washing, and physical distancing.
– MAY 03, 2021 @ 12:49 GMT
A.I
Tags: Boss Mustapha
