Nigeria relaxes on yellow fever for travellers, tightens noose on coronavirus
Samson Echenim is business a.m. correspondent providing coverage for maritime, aviation, travels and hospitality. A former business correspondent at the Punch and Leadership newspapers, he has a vast experience in business reporting. Samson can be reached on samhapp2000@yahoo.com and +2348037363024
Nigeria has announced she is loosening up on yellow fever card for travellers coming to the country, to enable airport officials focus more on coronavirus screenings.
The country’s aviation regulator, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Thursday, issued new directive to all airlines operating regional and international flights into the country to allow passengers without International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), known as yellow card to board henceforth.
The NCAA in a statement said the directive supercedes the earlier one issued on compulsory possession of yellow fever card.
According to the authority, the review of the policy became necessary due to the competing priority of the ongoing entry screening of the Points of Entry by the Port Health Services for COVID-19.
“Hence, entry screening of passengers due to the COVID-19 outbreak will be prioritised by the Port Health Services until the outbreak has been effectively contained,” NCAA said in the statement signed by Sam Adurogboye, general manager, Public Affairs.
Adurogboye stated that passengers should ensure they are vaccinated accordingly at Points of Entry and the process for obtaining the e-yellow card would be initiated.
Adurogboye stated, “In view of the above all airlines operating these flights are to, from March 11, 2020 implement the reviewed policy of the Federal Ministry of Health as follow: i. Passengers coming to Nigeria without documented proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever (valid yellow card) are allowed to board but be advised that they will be vaccinated accordingly at Points of Entry and the process for obtaining the e-yellow card will be initiated; ii. For passengers departing Nigeria, a valid Yellow card will be required for boarding; iii. Airlines are to communicate this policy to their passengers accordingly and; iv. This policy review is with effect from 11th March, 2020.”
Meanwhile, as coronavirus spreads across the globe, countries in Africa are also having their fair share of the epidemic. There are now more than 100 cases recorded in 11 countries in Africa, according to the latest figures from the World Health Organisation.
Nigeria has recorded two cases and now temperature screenings and use of hand sanitisers before entering public spaces such as banks, offices and restaurants are becoming mandatory to limit the spread of the disease.
Egypt remains the nation with the most reported cases with 59, more than half of all confirmed cases on the continent. South Africa has reported 13 cases of the virus so far, while citizens can now walk into private laboratories and pay for private coronavirus tests costing around $75, according to local media report.