COVID-19: FG Speaks On Mandatory Vaccination For Inbound Travellers

The federal government has spoken about its decision on all international travellers arriving in the country with evidence of vaccination against COVID-19 at the points of entry.

The decision was made following the reported surge in coronavirus cases in China, Japan, the United States of America and other nations. 

According to the federal government, unvaccinated passengers arriving from other countries may have to be vaccinated at the airport.

Speaking on the development at a ministerial briefing in Abuja, the Director of Port Health Services, Dr Geoffrey Okatubo disclosed that checks of passengers’ vaccination status have commenced.

“As you are all aware, the Presidential Steering Committee announced the relaxation of the COVID-19 safety measures in Nigeria a few weeks ago.

"However, following the reported upsurge in COVID-19 in China, Japan, the U.S., and other countries, Port Health Services has continued to heighten surveillance at our points of entry.

"The port health services have resumed checks of passengers’ vaccination status, and we provide traffic data on inbound passengers from all over the world.

“All international travellers arriving in Nigeria are now to provide evidence of vaccination at the point of entry and it was agreed that unvaccinated passengers arriving from other countries may have to be vaccinated at the airport.

“The Minister of Health recently approved that Port Health Services should meet with other stakeholders such as the NCDC, the Ministry of Aviation, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, and relevant unions over the use of rapid diagnostic test kits for testing any suspected ill passenger at our points of entry.

“Port Health Services officers are still positioned at the seaport and offshore platforms to screen all crew and passengers coming into the country", he stated.