The Federal Government has reversed its earlier policy which disallowed passengers without International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) popularly known as Yellow Cards from boarding flights coming to the country.
Reversing the policy, the Federal Government through the aviation regulatory agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) today, issued a new directive to all airlines operating regional and international flights into Nigeria to allow passengers without the Yellow card board henceforth.
NCAA, in a press statement signed by its General Manager, Public Relations, Sam Adurogboye said the new directive supercedes the earlier one issued on compulsory possession of the Yellow Card.
It however advised that passengers would be vaccinated accordingly at Points of Entry and the process for obtaining the e-yellow card will be initiated.
This policy shift followed a letter received from the Federal Ministry of Health dated March 11, 2020 reviewing the implementation of the operationalisation of Nigeria Points of Entry policy on the prevention and control of cross border transmission of Yellow fever.
“The review of the policy arose from the competing priority of the ongoing entry screening of our Points of Entry by the Port Health Services for COVID-19. Hence, entry screening of passengers due to the COVID-19 outbreak will be prioritized by the Port Health Services ″until the outbreak has been effectively contained,” the statement said.
Adding, “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:
- 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;
- 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
This policy review is with effect from 11thMarch, 2020″.
It will be recalled that the Authority issued a letter to the concerned operators on the above subject referenced NCAA/DG/AMS/74/Vol. III/44 dated February 10, 2020.
NCAA has therefore insisted that strict and immediate compliance is hereby required.
