Airline to pay $3500 fine for passenger who defies COVID-19 guidelines, says FG

The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC) has said Airlines shall mandatorily pay a penalty of $3,500 (Three Thousand Five Hundred dollars) for each defaulting passenger who fails to adhere to the travel advisory for passengers arriving in Nigeria from Brazil, India and Turkey.

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation who is the Chairman of the PSC on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha said the after due consideration has approved the implementation of “reduction of the validity period of pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test for all Nigeria-bound passengers from 96hrs to 72 hours.

“This means henceforth, PCR test results older than 72hours before departure shall not be accepted.”

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The Advisory further states that any person who has visited Brazil, India or Turkey within Fourteen (14) days preceding travel to Nigeria, shall be denied entry into Nigeria.

Mustapha said the interim regulation, however, does not apply to passengers who transited through these countries as non-Nigerians will be denied entry and returned to the country of embarkation at the cost to the Airline.

Mustapha further said Nigerians and those with the permanent resident permit shall undergo seven (7) days of mandatory quarantine in a Government approved facility at the point-of-entry city and cost to the passenger.

“Within 24 hours of arrival, passengers 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”.

“If Negative, the Passenger shall continue to remain in quarantine and made to undergo a repeat PCR test on day 7 of their quarantine.
Passenger(s) arriving in Nigeria from other destinations”.

“Passenger must observe a 7-day self-isolation at their final destination, carry out a COVID-19 PCR test on day 7 at the selected laboratory shall be monitored for compliance to isolation protocol by appropriate authorities”. Mustapha explained.

On false declaration, Mustapha said Passenger(s) who provided false or misleading contact information will be liable to prosecution.

“Person(s) who willfully disregard or refuse to comply with directions of Port-Health staff, security agencies or evade quarantine shall be prosecuted by the law”.

“State Governments are required to ensure that all returning travellers from ALL countries are monitored to ensure adherence to the mandatory seven-day self-isolation period and the repeat COVID-19 PCR test on the seventh day after arrival”. He said.

Nonetheless, Mustapha urged the members of the public to adhere to all COVID-19 preventive measures in place including adherence to the national travel protocol, proper use of face mask, regular handwashing and physical distancing.

He disclosed that this travel advisory shall come into effect from Tuesday, 4th May 2021 and the guidelines provided shall be subject to review after an initial period of 4 weeks.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE