This was made known on Monday by The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu.
He said the new guidelines were jointly designed by various agencies of government which include; the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Center for Disease Control, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, aviation sector, immigration and security authorities.
“There will be a need for Nigerians wanting to come into the country to undergo PCR tests for COVID-19 before they board. The test must be valid for at least 14 days. The test will not be accepted If it is done beyond 14 days Sani Aliyu said in a statement.
Those coming home will be required to sign an undertaking that they will follow the necessary precautions that will be applied when they arrive the country.
These will include: making themselves available for the repeat of PCR tests in the country when they arrive within 72 hours. They will be given an appointment card and an address where the test would be conducted. They will also be required to stay at the point of entry which will either be Abuja or Lagos for now because these are the two cities where the flights will be coming in and this is the arrangement we have made with the private sector.
Dr Sani said, those arriving will make arrangement for their own accommodation in either of the two cities for a period of 14 days. Unlike before, we will no longer be responsible for the transportation or accommodation of Nigerians coming in. They will need to make arrangement for themselves, not only for the period of testing but also for the period of self-isolation. But if they wish, they can stay at home, provided they undergo self-isolation at home.
He further explained that the result of tests must be negative before the flight and when they come in, they will have a repeat test within 72 hours to be sure that they have not developed COVID-19.
“They will then be followed up through a strict process of regularized isolation where they will be contacted from time to time and monitored".
Sani Aliyu said the process will be smoothened to ensure about 1,000 Nigerians are repatriated per week so as to clear the backlog of over 4,000 stranded Nigerians in another one month..
He however, noted that the government will be prioritizing students, pregnant women, the elderly and children, adding that their passports will be obtained by immigration authorities upon arrival.
The coordinator urged Nigerians to cooperate with the government on the new guidelines, stating that the evacuees will be signed off at the end of the 14 day self-isolation period.
Sani Aliyu said the process will be smoothened to ensure about 1,000 Nigerians are repatriated per week so as to clear the backlog of over 4,000 stranded Nigerians in another one month..
He however, noted that the government will be prioritizing students, pregnant women, the elderly and children, adding that their passports will be obtained by immigration authorities upon arrival.
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Good development, but Federal Government should make sure that returnees completely with laid down rules.
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