Nigeria has joined other African countries that have lifted Covid-19 compulsory tests for fully vaccinated inbound travellers, the Federal Government said on Monday.
The government of Nigeria says travellers are no longer required to take a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 test but would be subjected to a rapid antigen test at the airport by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) within the arrival hall of the airport free of charge.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha made the disclosure at a National briefing of the Committee in Abuja.
He said, “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.”
“Inbound (fully vaccinated) passengers arriving in Nigeria will no longer be required to take a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 Test.”
“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.”
Other African countries in recent weeks also announced major developments regarding situations surrounding Covid-19. Earlier this month, slamreportafrica.com reported that major cities in Morrocco are now rated green. Last week, we also reported a presidential declaration in Namibia that wearing protective face masks in public and negative PCR tests for vaccinated visitors are no longer required.
In South Africa however, the country with the most Covid-19 cases and casualties in Africa with over 3.5 million confirmed cases have, Universities have announced that unvaccinated students and staff can only access online learning.
Back to Nigeria, passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, according to Mr. Mustapha “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”
“Fully vaccinated passengers will not be charged for arrival rapid antigen tests at the airport”
“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”
According to Reuters, Nigeria reports 21 new infections on average each day with the highest daily average reported on December 27. There have been 255,103 infections and 3,142corona virus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.