JUN 2020 NEWS
OGHOGHO MAKINDE AND MARK MORDI, SAN
The Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 (the “PTF”) has issued the Revised Quarantine Protocol (the “Protocol”) for all persons arriving in Nigeria from any country (including returnees/stranded Nigerians), effective 08 June 2020. The Protocol outlines the government’s expectations of travellers into Nigeria before departure, while on board and upon arrival in Nigeria. Below are the highlights of the Protocol.
Pre-Departure
- Passengers must have tested negative for COVID-19 within 2 (two) weeks and not less than 5 (five) days prior to arriving in Nigeria, and will be required to fill on board, a health declaration/self-reporting form and a sample collection time allocation form.
Upon Arrival in Nigeria
- Disembarkation shall be done in batches to avoid overcrowding;
- Passengers are to undertake health screening at the point of entry, observe social distancing and proper hygiene measures (respiratory and cough hygiene, have face masks on at all times and observe hand hygiene);
- Passengers are to self-quarantine for 14 (fourteen) days in the city where the point of entry is located (i.e. Lagos or Abuja) and all passengers’ passports shall be retained by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service until after the 14-day self-quarantine. Cost of accommodation in the city for non-residents shall be borne by the passengers.;
- Passengers will undertake a repeat COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival in Nigeria;
- Passengers who are unable to remain in Lagos or Abuja throughout the period of self-quarantine may return to their states of residence provided they have had their samples collected and are negative for COVID-19 and they have provided their correct address and phone number to public health officials.
- Passengers who have completed the 14-day self-quarantine will undergo an exit interview and their passports will be released to them subsequently.
Click here for a copy of the Protocol
