COVID-19 Test: Nigeria threatens suspension, visa cancellation for erring travellers

*Nigerians will get 6-month passport suspension, foreigners face outright visa cancellation, says PTF on COVID-19

*It is mandatory that you have the PCR test done on day 7th ─Dr. Sani Aliyu

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

For failure to conduct the mandatory COVID-19 PCR test and show result of same to appropriate authorities before air travels, the Federal Government has vowed to deal with any defaulting travellers.

Dr. Sani Aliyu, National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, disclosed this at a media briefing Monday, September 14, in Abuja, FCT.

According to PTF, while Nigerians will get six-month passport suspension, foreigners face outright visa cancellation for failure to do the compulsory test.

In respect of the travel protocols, Dr. Aliyu stated: “Just to make it clear, it is mandatory that you have the PCR test done on day 7th.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos

“When you arrive in the county (Nigeria), and for whatever reason you do not have a card that works on the system, and you are unable to pay at the airports, you will still have to make arrangement to pay before day 7th of the your test.

“If you do not have a test by day 14th regardless whether you have paid or not, we have a system for identifying cases with Nigerian passports and restrictions will be placed on those passports for six months period.”

Aliyu further noted that “for those that are non-Nigerians that have not had the PCR test done between the 7th and 14th days and on their way out of the country, we will revoke their visas.

“So there are clearly implications for not following the travel protocols and this is done in the interest of our country.”

Only PCR test will be acceptable for boarding, which must be carried out at most 96 hours to boarding, said he.

According to the PTF National Coordinator, over 9,000 passengers have entered Nigeria since the airspace was opened for international flight on September 5, 2020.