BREAKING: FG Lifts Ban On Indian Flights

The Federal Government (FG) has lifted the ban on Indian flights.

EKOHOTBLOG reports that the Federal Government (FG) has lifted the ban placed on flights coming from India into Nigeria.

This was made known via a new travel protocol released by the Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, on Sunday.

EKOHOTBLOG recalls that the FG, as part of measures to curtail the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria, had banned passengers, who visited India, Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey in the last 14 days from entering the country.

However, Mustapha, on Sunday, stated that the ban placed on passengers from India has been lifted, adding that the reviewed protocol took effect from September 14, 2021.

The PSC Chairman further noted that the sanctions placed on airlines that convey passengers from restricted countries and travellers who are Non-Nigerians remain.

He said, “Non-Nigerian passport holders and non-residents who visited Brazil, Turkey or South Africa within 14 days preceding travel to Nigeria, shall be denied entry into Nigeria. This regulation, however, does not apply to passengers who transited through these countries.

“Airlines who fail to comply shall mandatorily pay a penalty of $3,500 defaulting passenger, and non-Nigerians will be denied entry and returned to the country of embarkation at cost to the Airline; Nigerians and those with a permanent resident permit who visited Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa 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 conditions 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; and

iii. If Negative, the Passenger shall continue to remain in quarantine and made to undergo a repeat PCR test on Day-7 of their quarantine.

“False declaration: passenger(s) who provided false or misleading contact information will be liable to prosecution; and person(s) 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

“This protocol comes into effect from 14th September 2021,” Mustapha.

Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, added that before departure from exit country, passengers must perform a COVID-19 PCR test not more than three days before boarding, adding that the PCR tests done more than 72 hours before departure are not valid and persons will not be allowed to board.

PSC Chairman, Boss Mustapha

He further stressed that airlines have been directed not to board passengers with non-PCR COVID-19 tests (such as antigen/or antibody tests), a positive COVID-19 PCR test result, or tests performed beyond 72 hours of boarding.

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