With international flights set to resume on August 29, the Federal Government has released revised guidelines for arrivals into the country.
Like in many nations across the world, international flights were suspended in Nigeria in March as a result of the global outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Announcing the resumption on Monday, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said that all evacuation flights, which were introduced across the country in the wake of the ban on international flights would end on August 25.
He added that international airports had reached advanced stages of preparedness for the resumption of international flight operations.
Sirika further disclosed that similar to during the resumption of domestic flights across the country, the international flights would commence with two major airports.
However, it appears that tough times await persons arriving in the country from abroad.
According to the revised quarantine guidelines made public by the Presidential Task Force on Monday and sent to Nigerian missions abroad, persons intending to return must have tested negative for COVID-19 not more than two weeks before arrival.
Here are what to expect on arrival in the country:
“Upon arrival in Nigeria, passengers shall queue in an orderly manner and disembarkation will 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:
(i) Keep their facemasks on.
(ii) Perform hand hygiene.
(iii) Ensure respiratory/cough etiquette; cough into tissue, sleeve/bent elbow and discard used tissue safely into a bin.
(iv) Always observe 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 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.
(b) 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.”
Domestic flights had resumed on July 8 and Sirika, had said there had been no coronavirus transmission on flights.
Nigeria has registered 49,485 confirmed coronavirus cases and 977 related deaths while 36,500 people have recovered so far.
