Nigeria sets new COVID-19 travel protocols to take effect from April 4

Nigeria has set new COVID-19 travel protocols issued by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) for those travelling into and out of the country to take effect on the 4th of April 2022. Here’s what we know:

Some of the directives stripped are like; removing mandatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for fully vaccinated visitors and stiff penalties for unvaccinated travellers violating the new rules.

Chairman of the PSC and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Mustapha, said the new guidelines would take effect from today 4th of April 2022.

It also said there would be sanctions for airlines that carry protocol violates of the new rules.

The new guidelines regarding fully vaccinated people would apply especially to travellers between ages 10 and 18 years.

The released statement also read that, ‘ this protocol is a revision of the Travel Protocols released on 29th November, 2021. Interim Travel Guidelines for Passengers arriving in Nigeria.’

1. In-bound passengers to Nigeria who are full vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer required to carry out COVID-19 PCR test before boarding Nigeria-bound flights;
2. fully vaccinated passengers arriving into Nigeria will not also be required to carry out post-arrival PCR test or a Rapid Antigen test upon arriving in Nigeria;
3. Children below the age of 18 will be accorded the same privileges as persons who are fully vaccinated.
4. In-bound Passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated for COVID-19 shall take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hrs before departure and undergo Days 2 and 7 post-arrival PCR tests at their own cost; and
5. All in-bound passengers MUST register via the online Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP– https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng).

Out-bound guidelines

All passengers travelling out of Nigeria are:

1. Encouraged to have evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19;
2. Comply with the COVID-19 guidelines of their destination or transit countries; and
3. To familiarize themselves with the COVID-19 travel requirements of their destination
   and transit countries before embarking on the journey.

Full statement on travel protocols here: PRESIDENTIAL STEERING COMMITTEE ON COVID-19