Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The Federal Government has resolved to deny non-Nigerian passport holders and non-residents who visited Brazil, India or Turkey within 14 days entry into Nigeria.
This decision was part of the decisions reached by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 following increasing cases of COVID-19 and fatalities in some parts of the world.
The committee’s chairman, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘Travel advisory for passengers arriving Nigeria from Brazil, India and Turkey.’
According to the statement, the travel advisory shall take effect from Tuesday while it shall be subjected to review after an initial period of four weeks.
The guidelines read in part, “Non-Nigerian passport holders and non-residents who visited Brazil, India or Turkey within days preceding travel to Nigeria, shall be denied entry into Nigeria.
“This regulation, however, does not apply to passengers who transited through these countries.
“The following measures shall apply to airlines and passengers who fail to comply with I and II(a) above: airlines shall mandatorily pay a penalty of $3,500 for each defaulting passenger.
“Non-Nigerians will be denied entry and returned to the country of embarkation at cost to the airline.
“Nigerians and those with permanent resident permit who visited Brazil, India or Turkey within 14 days preceding travel to Nigeria shall be made to undergo seven days of mandatory quarantine in a government approved facility at the point-of-entry city and at cost to the passenger.
“The following condition shall apply to such passengers: Within 24 hours of arrival shall take a COVID-19 PCR test.
“If positive, the passenger shall be admitted within a government-approved treatment centre, in line with national treatment protocols.
“If negative, the passenger shall continue to remain in quarantine and made to undergo a repeat PCR test on day 7 of their quarantine.”
According to the guidelines, passengers arriving in Nigeria from other destinations must observe a seven-day self-isolation at their final destination.
“They must carry out a COVID-19 PCR test on day 7 at selected laboratory and shall be monitored for compliance to isolation protocol by appropriate authorities.
“Passenger who provided false or misleading contact information will be liable to prosecution.
“Also, persons who willfully disregard or refuse to comply with directions of Port-Health staff, security agencies or evade quarantine shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” it said.
The statement added, “State governments are required to ensure that all returning travelers from all countries are monitored to ensure adherence to the mandatory seven-day self-isolation period and the repeat COVID-19 PCR test on the seventh day after arrival.
“We urge members of the public to adhere to all COVID-19 preventive measures in place including adherence to the national travel protocol, proper use of face mask, regular handwashing and physical distancing.”
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