FG Approves Of Waiver For Pre-Departure COVID-19 Protocols For Ukrainian Returnees

The Federal Government has approved of waiver for pre-departure Covid-19 protocols for Nigerian returnees from Ukraine.

According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the consent was given by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Covid-19.

Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu disclosed this in an All Operators’ Letter (DG/04/22) directed to all airlines operating to Nigeria.

The letter read: “In view of the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID19 has directed that Airlines board passengers travelling to Nigeria with proof of having left Ukraine.

“Approved was a waiver from the 48- hour Pre-departure COVID19 PCR test requirement and waiver from the requirement to pre-departure filling of the Nigerian International Travel Portal (NITP), payment for repeat test in Nigeria and generation of Permit to Fly/QR code.

Furthermore, the letter noted that passengers will however be required to fill the Nigerian International Travel Portal (NITP) upon their arrival in Nigeria with the assistance of the Port Health Services.

“Upon arriving in Nigeria passengers will be directed by the Port Health Services to designated Government Laboratories for COVID19 PCR test. The COVID19 PCR test which must be done within Twenty Fours (24) hours of arrival will be at no cost to the passenger,” the letter added.

Nexus News learnt that Nigeria’s carriers, Max Air and Air Peace, have been contracted to evacuate Nigerians who fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.

The two flights to Romania and Poland by Max Air and Air Peace respectively would depart Nigeria on Wednesday night.