The Nigerian government has threatened to deport foreign travelers who fail to present a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PSC) test result on arrival into the country.
The Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, made this known on Wednesday in a statement titled; “Revised Provisional Quarantine Protocol for Travellers Arriving Nigeria”.
Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said passengers arriving into Nigeria must present only a valid PCR test to gain access into the country.
He noted that passengers who fail to comply with the newly revised protocol will be denied entry into the country
Mustapha said, “A passenger arriving in Nigeria without a valid PCR result (either no PCR result or a forged COVID-19 PCR result or a non-PCR COVID-19 test e.g., an antigen or antibody test) will be subjected to the following measures:
“If holding foreign passport and being non-resident in Nigeria, the passenger will be denied entry into the country and arrangements made for immediate deportation at cost to the carrier airline.”
Mustapha said passengers who are Nigerians or holders of permanent resident permits will be allowed entry into the country without a PCR test but must follow the protocol.
He said, “For Nigerians and foreign passport holders with residency rights, they will be provided with an Information Leaflet outlining the procedure that will be followed;
“Port Health Services will screen the passenger to include a temperature check and review of health questionnaires to establish infectivity risk.”
He added that “COVID-19 PCR test will be conducted by a designated private laboratory within 24 hours of arrival at the quarantine facility at the expense of the passenger.
“If the test result is positive, the passenger is transferred to the isolation facility and managed accordingly but if the test result is negative the passenger will CONTINUE with mandatory isolation at the quarantine facility until Day-7 COVID-19 PCR test is done.”