COVID-19: Buhari Govt Relaxes Travel Protocols, Cancels PCR Test

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led government on Monday relaxed travel protocols following the reduction in the coronavirus pandemic across the world.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in a memo forwarded to all airline operators noted that the virus has been reduced to the lowest level.

Naija News gathered that the memo was dated 12 December, and referenced: NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/358.

According to the memo, the review was sanctioned by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC), which is led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

The memo was signed by Musa Nuhu, NCAA’s director-general.

The memo noted that it is no longer mandatory to use facemasks inside airport terminal buildings and onboard aircraft by airport workers, passengers, and crew members.

The memo reads, “Wearing of a facemask by passengers onboard aircraft or inside airport terminal buildings is discretionary but recommended.”

Persons at age 60 years and above, those who are immunocompromised and those with co-morbidities were, however, advised to continue the use of facemasks, and should “wash their hands with water and soap, use hand alcohol-based sanitisers, and avoid large gatherings.”

NCAA said the PSC’s verdict on pre-departure and post-arrival COVID-19 PCR tests is that all passengers irrespective of their vaccination status are no longer required to show such test results.