COVID19:FGN releases guidelines for local and int'l travels as airports start reopening
Passengers travelling abroad through Nigeria’s airport terminals are required to be at the airport five hours before departure to undergo COVID-19 protocols, the Nigeria Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has announced.
The Minister said this on Saturday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos when he disclosed some of the measures introduced for the reopening of the country’s airports closed in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Sirika, who led other members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to assess facilities put in place at the airport ahead of its reopening, indicated that domestic travellers on their part would need to be at the airport three hours before departure for processing.
According to him, this is a move to reduce sources of contamination of the virus.
Sirika said physical distancing had been established at different points of the airport, explaining that this is done by marking the floors at the airports.
"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 disclosed.
The minister said the number of seats at the departure lounge of the Lagos Int'l airport had been reduced to 50 from 500 in order to maintain social distancing.
He further stressed that passengers must comply strictly to the wearing of face masks before entering the airports, while aviation authorities should ensure provision of alcohol-based sanitisers at the airports.
The minister added that toilets at the airports were also COVID-19 compliant, indicating that everything is being done to reduce 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 indicated that the aircrafts must be airworthy with full compliance to COVID-19 protocols, as the airports are set to be reopened.
He disclosed there would be palliatives for operators of airlines because they have had huge losses.
Dr. Sani Aliyu, the PTF Coordinator, expressed his pleasure over the full compliance with COVID-19 protocols at the airport.
Aliyu said it was a proof the airport was ready for reopening with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
Also speaking, the Nigeria Minister of Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said members of the PTF came to the airport to brief Nigerians on the new protocols and processes guiding the reopening of airports.
Other members of the PTF who were in Lagos to assess adherence to COVID-19 protocols included the Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunibe Mamora; and Minister of State for Education, Emeka Uwajiuba.
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