mitrobeCOVID 19 Test For International Travel Nigeria
No trip is COVID risk-free, so proper precaution continues to be maintained. The rise of the Delta Variant made us understand that COVID isn’t going anytime soon. In Nigeria, precautions have been placed in the public space, and international travel is no exemption.
As an international Traveler, you must register and make payment on the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP) to carry out a PCR test immediately after your arrival. Upon arrival in Nigeria, if you are fully vaccinated, you will be required to conduct a COVID-19 PCR test on the second day of your arrival.
There have been numerous complaints among travelers over the cost placed on the PCR test and alleged profiteering and corrupt practices, which are seriously causing strain on travelers.
They have also been complaints that the COVID-19 test centers in Nigeria have become fleecing points. While the rest of the world is relaxing some of their rules and protocols on COVID, some countries (for example, Spain) declare it as flu and have to live with it.
The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC-COVID-19) recently had a meeting that fully vaccinated arriving travelers would no longer be mandated to take the pre-departure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test. Also, the federal government declared that fully vaccinated in-bound travelers would be subjected to the rapid antigen test at the airport by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) within the airport’s arrival hall, and it will be done free of charge.
This decision by the presidential Steering Committee was due to the response to the travelers’ complaints.
According to the Guardian investigation, it is shown that there is a syndicate at International airports that aids travelers to dodge the enormous post-COVID-19 test of N53,000 by accepting between N30,000 to N40,000 from travelers and passing through the immigration stands.
NCDC stated that the PSC-COVID-19 revision on the current travel advisory and public health safety measures would be announced in a press conference. Everything will be covered in the forthcoming PSC-COVID-19 press release. Some of these changes will include abolishing curfews, removing the mandatory pre-departure PCR tests, recommending introducing sampling testing at the airport for fully vaccinated travelers traveling to Nigeria, and the discretionary use of facemasks, only outdoors, and this will all take effect by April 4, 2022.
COVID 19 Health Protocols
- Despite the relaxation of the COVID protocols, the basic ones will still be observed, which is
- Practicing social distancing measures
- Regular Washing of the hands with water and soap. You can use disinfectants if you don’t want to wash your hands.
- The use of decontamination fluids on your bags and personal stuff
What should I do when I return to Nigeria from another country?
The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC-COVID-19) has stated a revised protocol for all Nigerians arriving in the country.
It states that all passengers traveling to Nigeria from any country in the world must have taken a COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours to the day of departure and must be tested NEGATIVE. Also, as a traveler, you must register and make payment on the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP) to carry out a repeat PCR test after arrival.
If you are a fully vaccinated traveler, you will be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test on the second day of your arrival.
If you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you will be required to take a COVID 19 PCR test on the second and 7th day of arrival and observe a mandatory 7-day self-isolation.
If you refuse to adhere to these protocols, you will be subjected to pay a certain stipulated fee by the PSC-COVID-19.
To read more on the travel protocol for international travel, click here.
COVID 19 Vaccines In Nigeria
Before traveling, you have to be vaccinated, and you can easily get your vaccination done in any registered public hospitals and some government-designated centers in your state.
You must be up to date before embarking upon an international trip, and this means getting the full dose of COVID-19 vaccines, including a booster shot (only when you are eligible). So COVID 29 vaccines are available for all persons above 5 years old.
Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have a specific COVID-19 vaccine that includes an additional third dose and a booster shot.
When You Shouldn’t Embark On An International Trip
- When you are sick and not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
- When you test positive for COVID-19, even though there are no symptoms.
- When you are still waiting for the results of your COVID-19 test.
- When you have close contact with an infected person, was recommended to quarantine.
- You are not to travel within 5 days after your last close contact with a COVID-19 infected person. However, it is safer not to travel until after 10 full days. If you must travel within the first 10 days after exposure to an infected person, you must:
- Get tested at least 5 days after your exposure. Your test result must be negative, and you should observe no symptoms.
- You should properly wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others or during your travel between the 6th to 10th day of exposure. If you can’t wear a mask within this period, you are advised not to travel.
Conclusion
Proper hygiene is expected to be obeyed despite the relaxation of the COVID 10 protocols on international travels. You should remember that COVID 19 is still present, and people get infected daily, so ensure you protect yourself as you travel.
James steller
mitrobe
