COVID-19: FG gives fresh guidelines for local, international travellers as airports reopen

Federal Government of Nigeria has given fresh guidelines for local and international travellers as airports are set to reopen in the midst of coronavirus pandemic.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has said that it is required by passengers travelling abroad through Nigeria’s airport terminals to arrive five hours before departure to undergo COVID-19 protocols.

The Minister revealed this on Saturday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

He listed some of the measures introduced for the reopening of the nation’s airports shut down due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in March.

Sirika, who led other members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to inspect facilities put in place at the airport ahead of its reopening, said domestic travellers on their part would be required to arrive three hours before departure for processing.

Sirika also mentioned that this measure is taken to reduce sources of contamination of the virus.

FG gives guidelines for local and international travels as airports are set to reopen

Sirika said physical distancing had been created at various points of the airport, stating that this is done by marking the floors at the airports.

He said physical distancing would now be required to be maintained right from the point of getting down from the vehicle that conveys one to the airport.

“We will provide polythene bags where passengers put all their things for protocol and we will ensure there is a minimal contact by the person screening you,” Sirika said.

The minister said the number of seats at the departure lounge of the MMIA had been reduced to 50 from 500 in order to maintain social distancing.

He further stated that passengers must adhere strictly to the wearing of face masks before entering the airports, while aviation authorities would ensure provision of alcohol-based sanitisers at the airports.

The minister added that toilets at the airports were also COVID-19 compliant, stressing that everything is being done to minimise physical contact.

Sirika said pilots, engineers, traffic controllers and catering staff, among others, at the airports were now certified and licensed to carry out certain activities only when they have the valid clearance.

He said the aircrafts must be airworthy with full compliance to COVID-19 protocols, adding that the airports are ready for reopening.

Sirika mentioned that there would be palliatives for operators of airlines because they had lost a lot.

The PTF Coordinator, Dr. Sani Aliyu expressed satisfaction over full compliance with COVID-19 protocols at the airport.

Aliyu said it showed the airport was ready for reopening with strict compliance to COVID-19 measures.

On the other hand, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said members of the PTF were at the airport to inform Nigerians on the new protocols and processes guiding the airports to reopen.

Other members of the PTF who were in Lagos to observe compliance to COVID-19 measures were the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Uwajiuba and Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunibe Mamora.