The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has released a revised travel protocol for international travelers arriving in Nigeria. The changes apply to both inbound and outbound passengers.
In addition, the Presidential Steering Committee is strengthening security measures at all entry points to ensure the safety of international travelers and Nigerian citizens.
The new protocol includes guidelines based on both current events in Nigeria and updated health information, such as the recent increase in COVID-19 positive cases and the new variant called Omicron.
Boss Mustapha, the chairperson of the Presidential steering committee on COVID-19, said in a statement on December 3, 2021, at a media briefing in Abuja that the new guidelines are a revised version of the previous travel protocol. (Click here to read the previous version).
We will explore both inbound and outbound travel protocols in this article.
INBOUND TRAVELLERS TRAVEL PROTOCOL
Under the newly revised rules, the following are protocols inbound travelers must follow before entering Nigeria:
Pre-boarding from Country of Exit
– Travellers must perform PCR tests only two days (48 hours) before boarding/departure.
-All travelers (including diplomats and children under the age of ten) must first register on an online national travel portal (click here to register on the Nigeria International Travel Portal) and then complete the online Health Declaration/ Self-Reporting form.
-The portal will direct travelers to upload their negative COVID-19 PCR results.
-Travelers with partially vaccinated or unvaccinated vaccines should choose their preferred Laboratory/Sample Collection Center depending on where they plan to isolate for a week in Nigeria.
-The platform will ask vaccinated travellers to choose a Laboratory/Sample Collection Centre based on where they will be two days after arriving in the nation for the Day 2 test (arrival day + 1 day).
(Click here to watch video on 5 Simple Steps to Book a Covid-19 Test from Medbury Medicals)
-After picking their preferred laboratory, they will require all travellers to pay.
– After making a successful payment, travellers should use the “Get Permit to Travel” option in the top right corner of the portal to download the Permit to Travel Certificate/ QR Code, save, and print the form for presentation at the point of boarding.
Boarding and Arrival
-Before boarding for Nigeria, travellers must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test and a Permit to Travel Certificate/QR Code within two days (48 hours) of departure.
-Besides a temperature check before boarding, officials will ask passengers about COVID-19 symptoms.
-At the arrival terminal, all passengers must follow the directions issued by Port Health Services.
-Travellers must present their international passports to the Migrants’ Identification Data Analysis System of the Nigerian Immigration Service System for clearance (MIDAS).
-Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated in-bound travellers must proceed to their chosen in-country destination address for a necessary 7-day self-isolation/quarantine period, and on the second and seventh days after your arrival, go to the laboratory/sample collecting center.
OUTBOUND TRAVELERS TRAVEL PROTOCOL
All travelers leaving Nigeria must show proof of full COVID-19 immunization or a negative COVID-19 PCR test performed only 48 hours before departure.
This protocol will take effect on 5th December 2021.
In conclusion,
The presidential steering committee requires all travelers coming in and departing from Nigeria to show proof of compliance and hold violators accountable to the full extent of the law.
Nigerian travelers who do not show up for testing will have their passports restricted for at least six months and cannot travel abroad during that time. Foreign passport holders will lose their visas, and the Nigerian government will deport them from the country.
Are you traveling out of Nigeria soon and need a COVID-19 test? Contact us by clicking here or call this number +2349027331921 to get started.
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