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Federal Government has relaxed the restriction on travellers without evidence of payment for the COVID-19 PCR test.
A memo by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) asked international airlines to board passengers “without evidence of payment for Day Seven COVID-19 PCR test or generate paid QR code/permit to fly.”
The memo dated September 11, 2021, and signed by the NCAA Director-General, Musa Nuhu, said the decision was taken in view of the challenges some travellers to Nigeria are experiencing while trying to fill their health and travel history into Nigeria’s international travel portal.
Earlier, foreign travellers were required to show proof of payment for their COVID-19 PCR test before they were boarded.
But Nuhu said such passengers would be required to make payment for the repeat Day Seven COVID-19 PCR test at their destination airport in Nigeria.
The memo read: “The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has been made aware of challenges some travellers are experiencing while trying to fill their health and travel history into the Nigeria International Travel Portal.
“Airlines are thereby permitted to board any traveller to Nigeria who is unable to either pay for the repeat Day Seven COVID-19 PCR test or generate the paid QR code/ permit to fly.
“Such passengers will be required to make payment for the repeat Day Seven COVID-19 PCR test at their destination airport in Nigeria.
“Holders of Diplomatic passports and Children aged 10 years and below who are unable to complete NITP are to be allowed to board the flight.
“Their health declaration and travel history will be captured by the Port Health Services (PHS) at the destination airport.
“Airlines are to bring this information to the knowledge of the passenger and ensure strict compliance with above-stated conditions.”