The Federal Government of Nigeria has scrapped the pre-departure PCR COVID-19 test for fully vaccinated individuals travelling into the country.
This was disclosed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha at the National briefing of the Committee in Abuja on Monday.
He said that fully vaccinated travellers will however be subjected to rapid antigen test upon arrival at the airport hall, free of cost.
Mustapha said that unvaccinated or partially vaccinated passengers must take COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure or do a day and day 7 test on arrival and that such passengers must bear the cost of the tests.
He said the revised protocol would take effect from Monday, April 4.
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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;
Passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated 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.”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
