BREAKING: COVID-19 Testing for Travellers Revised

Following the discovery of new COVID-19 strain in the UK, Nigeria has joined several countries in taking steps to prevent and defend itself from exposure and spread of the new virus strain. The government has announced modifications to its travel policy and regulations through its Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Henceforth, travellers must fill the NCDC Traveller’s portal prior to travel out and into Nigeria.

Furthermore, all inbound travellers must fill out the form on the traveller’s portal and make payment online for test at specified labs.
Pre-departure PCR-test for inbound travellers must be done not later than 5-days from travel date.
Test result must be uploaded on the portal when answering the questionnaire.
Compulsory repeat test after 7-days from arrival date -of which payment must be made on the travel portal.

This means that all travellers must get a “permanent QR code” from the NCDC Travel Portal as opposed to the “temporary QR code” given when you select the “Payment on Arrival” option for the mandatory repeat test after seven (7) days from arrival date.

On the 17 December, the NCDC gave advise to public sector leaders and business owners on the resurgence of COVID-19 which highlights the importance of strict and continued adherence to public measures in workplaces and business premises.

The following guidelines are provided to employers and business owners, to safeguard the health and safety of employees and customers;

1. Temperature checks must be carried out on all employees and customers entering office and business premises (any person with a temperature 38 degrees Celsius or above, should be denied entry and advised to go for a health check).

2. No mask, No entry, No service – all staff members, visitors and customers entering workplaces, shops or business premises must wear a face mask that should cover the mouth and nose at all times, and should not remove them, especially if speaking to another person in close proximity.

3. All office and business premises must have a handwashing station with running water and soap or hand sanitizer at the entrance. Employers and business owners have a responsibility to ensure hand sanitizers are always refilled and soap and water always available.

4. Restrict all physical meetings and instead opt for virtual meetings, whenever possible. If physical meetings must be held, ensure there is adequate ventilation of the room, limit the number of attendees and ensure all staff members wear face masks, maintain physical distance of at least two metres and adhere to other public health measures.

5. Business owners, leaders in public service have a responsibility to ensure that all staff members abide by the mandated public health measures, including maintaining physical distance, wearing of face masks at all times.

6. Limit the number of people seated in an office, ensuring there is adequate space to allow for reasonable physical distancing. Business owners should limit the number customers entering and being served in their shops or premises, at one time.

7. Office, shops and business premises must be well-ventilated and cleaned regularly throughout the day, ensuring that frequently touched surfaces like desks, countertops, work stations, railings, door handles, are cleaned and disinfected. An occupational health and infectious diseases preparedness plan must be place, in case an employee, customer or visitor becomes unwell.

8. Ensure there is clear and visible signage in offices and business premises, reminding employees and customers to adhere to public health measures, e.g. maintaining physical distance, wearing face masks over nose and mouth, and hand hygiene

9. Every office, shop or business premise should appoint “compliance champions”, to monitor, remind and reinforce adherence to these public health measures.

10. Employees who are feeling unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms, should notify their supervisor immediately, or stay at home and seek medical attention to confirm diagnosis, by doing a COVID19 test.

Travel policies are still same with exception to current update on the filling and payment for COVID-19 test on the NCDC Travel portal.

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