International flights: FG to fine airlines $3,500 per passenger for non- compliance

As international flights resume August 29 ,
the Federal Government on Monday
issued fresh COVID- 19 protocol for
passengers and airlines .

It noted that a negative COVID- 19 test
result remained important for each
passenger before boarding and upon
arrival in Nigeria ; while it also warned
that airlines that fail to comply would pay
a fine of $ 3 ,500 per passenger.

The National Coordinator of the
Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 , Sani
Aliyu, made this known during a briefing
in Abuja on Monday.

Aliyu said , “ We will continue with the
policy that airlines will only board
passengers without symptoms of
COVID- 19 and with negative PCR result.

“ Airlines will be fined $ 3 ,500 per
passenger if they fail to comply with pre-
boarding arrangement.

“ On arrival in the country from 29 th of
August, passports will no longer be
retained by the Nigeria Immigration
Service .

“ Rather , passengers will be allowed to
proceed and exit the airport once they can
show evidence of a negative COVID- 19
PCR result and evidence for payment for a
repeat PCR result in the country; and
where possible , where we have been able
to get the health questionnaires that have
been submitted .

“ Passengers will be asked to proceed on
self – isolation at home for a period of
seven days . On Day 7 , they will proceed to
their sample collection centre for a repeat
PSR test and by Day 8 , they will be
allowed to rejoin the society.

“ Based on scientific proof , the PTF has
been advised to shorten the isolation
duration from 14 days to seven days
provided passengers have a negative PCR
result from Day 7 .

“ Passengers will be monitored by public
health officers throughout the period of
isolation and those who develop
symptoms will be treated.”

In terms of ensuring compliance with
COVID- 19 protocol, we are currently
working with the Nigeria Immigration
Service to design a system that will allow
us to determine those that have not
submitted themselves for a repeat
COVID- 19 PCR test from Day 7 onward .

“ These passengers may be sanctioned with
the inclusion on a travel watch list or their
electronic passport suspended for a period
of time if they refuse to have a repeat PCR test.”