The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) directed all airlines operating regional and international flights into Nigeria to allow passengers without International Certificate of Vaccination Prophylaxis (ICVP) popularly called yellow card board aircraft henceforth.
Spokesman for the agency, Mr. Sam Adurogboye said in a statement that the new directive supersedes the earlier one issued on compulsory possession of Yellow Card.
However, NCAA informed passengers that they would be vaccinated accordingly at points of entry adding that 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 11th March, 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,’’ he said.
Consequently, he said “all airlines operating these flights are to, from 11th March, 2020 implement the reviewed policy of the federal ministry of health.”
The policies are that *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
*airlines are to communicate this policy to their passengers accordingly.
Adurogboye said NCAA required strict and immediate compliance to the review.
