The Federal Government on Monday said airlines would be fined $3,500 per passenger for airlifting passengers without negative COVID-19 test results as it prepares to open international flights.
The coordinator, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Sanni Aliyu, said this at the daily briefing of the PTF on in Abuja.
Speaking on the new protocols that would start from August 29, the coordinator said passengers coming into the country must present a PCR COVID-19 test result that is within seven days.
Mr Aliyu also said that when a passenger arrived Nigeria and presents a PCR negative result, the passenger was expected to self-isolate for seven days and submit his or her COVID-19 test before reuniting with the community.
On the concerns over cases of passengers coming into the country with a negative COVID-19 test result and testing positive in Nigeria, he said that PTF was studying the situation and would take a decision when the need arose.
Mr Aliyu said that health workers would monitor passengers on self-isolation and if any passenger fails to undertake testing after seven days, sanctions would be imposed on the passenger.
Meanwhile, NAN reports that the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the country would ban flights from countries that have placed bans on flights from Nigeria when the international flights resume.
Mr Sirika also said meetings have already been held with the international carriers and the decisions transmitted to them. The minister stated: “We are almost there. Just a few things to be done but we will be ready in the coming days. By Monday, we will have a comprehensive details for the resumption.
“About 1,280 passengers will be allowed in on a daily basis in Abuja and Lagos airports, which have been billed to start first when the international flights resume.”