Due to the pandemic, some airlines are demanding COVID-19 test certificates from international travellers and that it must be obtained 72 hours before the flight or else an errant traveller will not be allowed to board the flight.
According to reports, Qatar airways has listed Nigeria as one of the countries whose travellers must present the test certificate.
Effective from August 13, 2020, According to the notification from the airline’s website, Qatar Airways will be requiring passengers travelling from specific airports in the countries enlisted to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR medical test result when checking in.
The countries include: Bangladesh, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Nigeria and Russia.
It said:
“Tests must be issued within 72 hours before departure from laboratories that are approved by Qatar Airways, and paid for by the passenger. Children below the age of 12 years are exempt from the test, if accompanied by family members that have presented a negative test result.”
However, Other airlines that have also listed the presentation of negative-status certificates on COVID-19 by passengers included British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France/KLM.
Also according to Dubai-based Emirates Airlines also said that passengers are expected to present test certificates “to show that you have proven negative before you board our flights and the test must be done in well known laboratory or hospital within 72 hours.”
Mr. James Odaudu, Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, said as regards the development;
”Since the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Aviation are still working out the guidelines for international flights, it is difficult to say right now. But we can’t rule it out. It’s all about safety precautions,”
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, had last month rejected the October 15 date fixed for the resumption of international flights by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), saying flights may resume before October.
Sirika was reacting to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued on July 21 by NCAA to international airlines, in which the agency fixed October 15 for the resumption of international flights.
In the Ministers verifiable twitter handle, @hadisirika, he said the federal government was yet to fix the date for resumption.
“International flight resumption date is not October. NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) just issued a routine 90-day notice to airmen (NOTAM). In liaison with Health, Foreign Affairs and PTF COVID-19, we will announce the agreed date, regardless of the ban by Europe, UAE etc. May be earlier than October.”
However, travel expert and the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Mr. Ikechi Uko, according to reports said that Nigeria has not opened its airports.
“We have not opened our airports. The day we open the airports the rules will change. When they see the load factor recorded by the airlines without that restriction, they will be forced to change the rule.
“By closing its airports for international flights, Nigeria has technically banned every country from flying to Nigeria. So they are not allowing us to fly to their destinations and we are not allowing them to come to ours,”
“In our stations where temperature measurement is allowed, measurement is made with non-contact temperature meters during boarding. If our passengers show symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough and respiratory distress above 38°C, they will not be admitted to our flights and will be directed to the relevant health institution.
“Please note that in accordance with the guide published by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, certain flight restrictions apply for arrivals to Turkey. Passengers are required to obey the conditions below for a healthy and safe flight. All passengers are required to wear masks at the airport and during the flights.
“All passengers must complete the passenger information form when arriving in Turkey. All passengers will undergo a medical examination and those showing symptoms will have tests performed. Passengers with a positive test result will take medical treatment,” the airline stated in a statement posted on its website.
