Few hours after the country announced the resumption of international flights, following its closure to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease, the Nigerian Government has said it will only allow four international flights into the country per day.
The government through its Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 (PTF), stated that there will be limited flights a day into Lagos and Abuja airports with a maximum of 1280 passengers daily in each airport (estimated 320 passengers per plane, max).
According to a document sighted by atqnews.com, the PTF said the government had initially wanted to allow only four international air companies from different areas of the globe to fly to Nigeria, but however, backtracked.
The statement by the body said: “The Federal Government announced the resumption of international flights from the 29th August 2020, beginning with Lagos and Abuja, as was the case with domestic flights.
“This morning during the regular Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 (PTF) Donor meeting which the EU Delegation attends, we were informed that initially there will be a limited number of flights: four flights a day in Lagos and Abuja with a maximum of 1280 passengers daily in each airport (estimated 320 passengers per plane, max).
“Primarily, the PTF wanted to allow only four international air companies from different areas of the globe to fly to Nigeria.
“In terms of the updated protocols, the PTF expects to have them approved presently so as to be able to announce them in principle this afternoon during the regular press briefing. The authorities are considering making it a pre-condition for boarding on the way to Nigeria that a up to 7 day old negative PCR test be produced prior to boarding (a PCR test as close as possible to the time of departure would be preferable, say 72 hours, but this would not be practical for short term visitors).
“The authorities are prepared to consider shortening the self-isolation/quarantine period from 14 to 8 days, if arrivals undertake another Covid-19 PCR test on the 7th day after arrival. The argument against testing everyone on arrival is that if, for instance, a passenger had been contaminated on the incoming flight, it would be too soon for the test to detect the infection.
“The authorities want also to get rid of the current practice applied since June last of keeping passengers’ passports until successful completion of the normal 14 days quarantine, to be confirmed by a negative test at the end of that period (this practice does not apply to diplomats even as of today). Henceforth, arrivals will be asked to book and pay for a PCR test prior to arrival.
“This way they will keep their passports and move on home. Only the passports of those passengers not carrying an evidence of payment of a PCR test on arrival will be retained by the Authorities. They believe that evidence of payment of a test – a considerable sum for some but not for all – constitutes enough of an incentive for the arriving passenger and reassurance for the Authorities that the test will be done. In addition, arrivals will be prompted by SMS to do the PCR test. This being said, the shorter quarantine option afforded to those that actually do the test on the 7th day following arrival may prove more of an incentive to ensure compliance.
“The PTF informed that although they are continuing with the procurement arrangements for testing on arrival (sample collection at the airport), they believe deployment of this additional measure will not be necessary.”