By Prince Okafor

Following the low level of COVID-19 pandemic prevalence both in Nigeria and globally, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has directed all airlines, airports to suspend pre-departure and post-arrival Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR, tests.

This came even as the authority noted that wearing of facemask inside airports and aircraft are no longer mandatory for passengers.

The authority also asked airlines to resume serving catering to passengers on board aircraft.

This directive was contained in an All Operators Letter, AOL, signed by NCAA, Director General, Capt. Musa Nuhu, and titled: Revised COVID-19 public health guidelines for all aviation service providers (domestic and international operations).

Nuhu stated that The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC) has revised the COVID-19/ Public Health guidelines as follows.

For domestic operations, he said: “The wearing of facemask inside Airport terminal buildings and onboard aircraft by airport workers, passengers, and crew members is no longer mandatory. Wearing of facemask by passengers onboard aircraft or inside Airport terminal buildings is discretionary but recommended.

“Persons aged 60 years and above, immunocompromised (e.g. due to organ transplant, cancer, etc), those with co-morbidities (e.g. Heart disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, etc), are advised to use facemasks, wash their hands with water and soap, use hand alcohol-based sanitizers, and avoid large gatherings.

“Disinfection of bags at the entrance of terminal buildings is no longer required. Airlines are therefore required to resume serving catering (meals and drinks) on board aircraft.

“Maintaining social distancing at airport terminal buildings is no longer mandatory. Facilities and conveyances are advised to maintain good environmental hygiene, good ventilation, and encourage good hand and respiratory hygiene.

“The use of alcohol-based sanitizer by passengers and airport workers is recommended. Boarding and disembarkation protocols are to be maintained.”

For international operations, he stated that all requirements for domestic operation shall apply.

“Pre-departure and Post-arrival COVID-19 PCR tests are no longer required for all passengers irrespective of vaccination status. PCR tests required for all passengers who are partially and not fully vaccinated have been suspended.

“Permission to travel QR code is no longer required. A simplified Health questionnaire form (non COVID-19 specific) shall be completed by all passengers travelling to Nigeria preferably pre-departure on the Nigerian International Travel Portal (NITP). Passengers who fail to fill the health questionnaire on the NITP pre-departure will be required to fill the health questionnaire either onboard the aircraft prior to landing or at the airport terminal building upon arrival.

“All other COVID-19 quarantine/travel requirements are hereby made optional. This AOL supersedes previous AOLs issued on COVID-19 for domestic and international operations.

“All Aviation Service Providers are hereby required to comply with the above requirements. Non-compliance by any Aviation Service provider with this AOL shall attract appropriate sanctions. This AOL shall be effective immediately,” Nuhu added.