NCAA issues fresh guidelines to airlines on COVID-19 PCR tests, carriers start compliance

• To sanction defaulting carriers

Following the launch of the COVID-19 PCR test verification platform, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) has directed that only results from accredited private laboratories should be accepted from outbound passengers by airlines as from March 22, 2021.

A circular from the Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu dated March 19, 2021, with reference: NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/303 and titled, “Official Notification On Enforcement of Presidential Task Force (PTF) On COVID-19 On Traveller Testing –COVID-19 PCR Test Verification Platform”, stated that airlines are to board and process passengers in possession of a valid COVID-19 PCR test result conducted at accredited laboratories.

The list of accredited testing private laboratories can be found on https:/covid-19.ncdc.gov.ng/privatelabs/.

The aviation regulatory agencies urged airlines to use the COVID-19 PCR verification platform developed by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to confirm the authenticity of all PCR test results presented to them by intending passengers prior to checking-in/boarding.

According to Nuhu, a list of passengers found in possession of fake PCR test results during boarding is to be submitted to the Head, Port Health Services of the respective international airport, stressing that this should include a copy of bio-data page of the passenger’s travel passport.

He further told airlines to ensure strict compliance to the directive, threatening that defaulters would be sanctioned.

Wole Shadare