The Federal Government of Nigeria today, 12 December 2022 released new revised COVID-19/Public Health guidelines for both domestic and international aviation service providers.

According to the All Operators Letter (DG 09/2022) issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 made the revision because the pandemic has remained at a low level for a sustained period in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

The AOL was signed by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Captain Musa S. Nuhu.

For (A). Domestic operation, the guidelines are:

1. Mask Mandate:
   • The wearing of facemask inside airport terminal buildings and onboard aircraft by airport workers, passengers, and crew members is no longer mandatory. Wearing of facemask by passengers onboard aircraft or airport terminal buildings is discretionary but recommended.
   • Persons aged 60 years and above, immunocompromised (e.g. due to organ transplant, cancer, etc.), those with co-morbidities (e.g. heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, etc.), are advised to use facemasks, wash their hands with soap and water, use hand alcohol-based sanitizers and avoid large gatherings.
2. Disinfection of bags at the entrance of terminal is no longer required.
3. Airlines are therefore required to resume serving of catering (food and drinks) onboard aircraft.
4. Maintaining social distancing at airport terminal buildings is no longer mandatory.
5. Facilities and conveyances are advised to maintain good environmental hygiene, good ventilation, and encourage good hand and respiratory hygiene.
6. The use of alcohol-based sanitizers by passengers and airport workers is recommended.
7. Boarding and disembarkation protocols are to be maintained.

For (B). International operations:

1. All requirements in “A” above shall apply
2. COVID-19 Travel Testing: Pre-departure and post-arrival PCR tests are no longer required for all passengers, irrespective of vaccination status. PCR tests required for passengers who are partially/not-fully vaccinated have been suspended.
3. Health Declaration form: Permission to travel/QR code is no longer required. A simplified Heath Questionnaire form (non-COVID-19 specific) shall be completed by all passengers travelling to Nigeria, preferably pre-departure on the Nigerian International Travel Portal (NITP). Passengers who fail to fill the health questionnaire on the NITP pre-departure will be required to fill the health questionnaire either onboard the aircraft prior to landing or at the airport terminal building upon arrival.
4. All other COVID-19 quarantine/travel requirements are hereby made optional.

This AOL supersedes all previous AOLs issued on COVID-19 domestic and international operators.

All Aviation Service Providers are hereby required to comply with the above requirements.

Non-compliance by any aviation service provider with this AOL shall attract appropriate sanctions.

This AOL shall be effective immediately.