FG’s New Travel Restrictions, Sanctions Take Effect Today

*Govt extends ban on travellers from Brazil, Turkey, India and S’Africa

In lieu of the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Government has reviewed in-country safety protocol, with restrictions of passengers from some countries taking effect from July 2 (today).

The ‘provisional quarantine protocol for travellers arriving Nigeria’, dated June 30, 2021, prohibits travellers from the quartet of Brazil, Turkey, India and South Africa.

Contrary to airlines and some countries’ advocacy for vaccination and antigen test as entry requirements, the Federal Government has stuck to mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, quarantine and self-isolation for all arriving passengers.

While evaders of any of these conditions shall be prosecuted, defaulting airlines are liable to fines in excess of $3,500 per illegal entrant or default. Read More

‘Why Check-In System Failure Persists at Lagos, Abuja Airports’

The abrupt withdrawal of services by Societe International Telecommunication Aeronautiques (SITA) has been blamed for the persistent downtime of automated check-in systems at Lagos and Abuja airports.

The disruption, which has lasted about a month, has rendered international passenger facilitation chaotic and outbound flights delayed.

The Guardian learnt that though SITA’s contract expired in May 2021, its operations were extended for another six months pending the switchover to another service provider that sent a bid and won the contract. SITA, however, shut down operations at the beginning of June over FAAN’s indebtedness.

Foreign airlines have since then been conducting passenger facilitation by improvising with alternative platforms to check-in passengers and conduct necessary screening. Some of the airlines, as of yesterday, issued handwritten boarding passes and baggage tags to the dismay of travellers. Read More

FAAN Awaits FG’s Directive on Enugu Airports’ Reopening for International Flights

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said everything is set for international flight operations to resume at the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu, even as it awaits the federal government’s approval to reopen the airport.

Reports gathered showed that the Airport Council International (ACI) Africa has given health certificate to the airport for meeting Covid-19 protocols requirements.
The agency said other logistics and safety issues have been completed, so the airport can now receive international flights.

The Managing Director of FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu told THISDAY that international flight service was supposed to have resumed four weeks ago, but there were minor hitches that must be corrected. These he said the agency had corrected and awaiting report of work from the airport, adding that issues concerning security had been completed.

“Flight operation was supposed to resume just about three or four weeks ago, but have some minor hitches but they are very critical hitches. And we are expecting a report this week. If we get the report within a day or within 48 hours we can work on it. Read More

COVID-19 QR Code Just As Important As Passport

Covid-19 changed the way people socialise and put plugs on international, regional and local travel when it was declared a pandemic early last year.

With many airlines being grounded as scientists tried to understand the novel virus that caused Covid-19, only a few continued to spread their wings, delivering essentials like face masks, sanitisers, personal protective equipment to various countries across the globe.

For months, boarders were closed, only allowing essential service providers like haulage trucks through.

In some countries, returning residents were only permitted as airlines also tried to find out how they could keep passengers and crew safe.

As research on Covid-19 continued, with scientists across the globe getting a better understanding, and vaccines found in record time; travel started opening up again, with airlines taking off and landing at various airports.

This meant stricter measures for travel, as those intending to do so have to go through rigorous checks that include PCR tests within 72 hours of travel, filling out health forms prior to travel, among others. Read More

Sources: The Guardian, ThisDay Live, The Herald Zimbabwe