The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Captain Musa S. Nuhu has announced a revisal of the aviation public health guidelines that were put in place because of the Covid-19 pandemic, saying it is now no longer mandatory to wear face mask at the airports and onboard aircraft.

Details of the covid-19 public health guidelines are as follow:

The prevalence of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and most parts of the world has remained at a low level for a sustained period. The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC) has therefore revised the COVID-19/ Public Health guidelines as follows:

(A) Domestic Operations:

1. Mask Mandate:

a. The wearing of facemask inside Airport terminal buildings and onboard aircraft by airport workers, passengers, and crew members is no longer mandatory. Wearing of facemask by passengers onboard aircraft or inside Airport terminal buildings is discretionary but recommended.

b. Persons aged 60 years and above, immunocompromised (e.g. due to organ transplant, cancer, etc), those with co-morbidities (e.g. Heart disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, etc), are advised ot use facemasks, wash their hands with water and soap, use hand alcohol-based sanitizers, and avoid large

gatherings.

2. Disinfection of bags at the entrance of terminal buildings is no longer required.

3. Airlines are therefore required to resume serving catering (meals and drinks) on board aircraft.

4. Maintaining social distancing at airport terminal buildings is no longer mandatory.

5. Facilities and conveyances are advised to maintain good environmental hygiene, good ventilation, and encourage good hand and respiratory hygiene.

6. The use of alcohol-based sanitizer by passengers and airport workers is recommended.

7. Boarding and disembarkation protocols are to be maintained.

(B) International Operations:

1. Al requirements in A’ ‘ above shall apply.

2. COVID-19 Travel Testing: Pre-departure and Post-arrival COVID-19 PCR tests are no longer required for al passengers irrespective of vaccination status. P C tests required for al passengers who are partially/not fully vaccinated have been suspended.

Health Declaration form: Permission to travel RQ code is no longer required. A simplified Health

ÑCAA Questionnaire form (non-COVID-19 specific shall be completed by all passengers travelling to Nigeria preferably pre-departure on the Nigerian International Travel Portal (NITP). Passengers who fail to fill the health questionnaire on the NITP pre-departure will be required to fill the health questionnaire either onboard the aircraft prior to landing or at the Airport terminal building upon arrival.

4. All other COVID-19 quarantine/travel requirements are hereby made optional.

This AOL supersedes previous AOLs issued on COVID-19 for domestic and international operations.

Action Required:

All Aviation Service Providers are hereby required to comply with the above requirements.

Non-compliance by any Aviation Service provider with this AOL shall attract appropriate sanctions. This AOL shall be effective immediately.

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