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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has suspended the rapid antigen test requirement for Nigerians travellers.
This was contained in a letter dated March 24, addressed to the Federal Government by the protocol department of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Federal Government had suspended Emirates Airlines after it announced an additional test requirement for Nigerian travellers in addition to the PCR test mandated by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
While agreeing to remove the test requirement, the UAE Government demanded that the number of passengers on inbound flights to the UAE must not exceed 200 for two weeks.
It also said only direct flights between the UAE and Nigeria are allowed.
“Passengers need to present a valid negative PCR test conducted within 48 hours before boarding.
“Provide the Embassy with an updated list of the approved PCR test centres by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement said.
Passengers would also be required to provide accurate and updated contact details and where they will stay in the UAE.
Prior to the suspension, the carrier had stopped operating flights from Lagos and Abuja airports to Dubai.
In February, the FG placed a ban on outbound Emirates flights for violating the directive of the PTF on COVID-19 on rapid antigen tests.
The ban was subsequently lifted after the airline agreed to stop the rapid antigen tests.