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Omicron: FG To Release New International Travel Protocol

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Japa: 150,000 Nigerians Planned To Travel To US In 2023 - US Embassy
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In an effort to stop the Omicron COVID-19 variant from entering the country, the Federal Government will, on Tuesday, release a new international travel protocol.

Speaking on Monday at a press briefing in Abuja, the National Incident Manager of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Mukhtar Muhammad said the measure was taken in the interest of Nigerians.

The national incident manager submitted that the new travel protocol will come into effect by Friday, December 3, 2021.

Muhammad stated although no case of the Omicron variant has been found in the country, the government has been proactive since the new variant was detected in South Africa.

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He stated that one of the travel guidelines include that passengers arriving in the country are required to do a PCR test 48 hours before departing.

Muhammad added that passengers will also do day two and day seven PCR tests on arrival and they will be required to self-isolate for seven days.

He said: “Consequently, the PSC will be issuing a travel guideline document tomorrow, but let me highlight the contents of this travel guideline.

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“Passengers arriving the country are required to do a PCR test 48 hours before departing. They will also do day two and day seven PCR tests on arrival and they will be required to self-isolate for seven days.

“Passengers that are outbound, going out of Nigeria, will be required to either show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or provide a negative PCR test taken 48 hours before departure. These conditions apply to diplomats as well. The measures will come into effect by Friday, 3rd of December, 2021.

“The PSC will ensure that there is enforcement of passengers who arrive and refuse to take the test through suspension of their passports and prosecution or both.

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“Furthermore, we’ll be increasing our surveillance at the ports of entry into the country, intensify testing and contact tracing, and optimize sequencing capacity.”