Covid–19 rules on travel to and from Nigeria

When you travel, you unwittingly may carry infection with you. The people you meet at your destination are at risk of getting the infection from you. This is why the government makes rules about how to travel safely.

During the early days of the covid-19 pandemic, the rules barred travelers from certain countries from entering Nigeria. Recently, the government has changed the rules so that the same restrictions apply to both citizens and non-citizens entering the country.

The travel advisory includes what to do before entering Nigeria and after getting to Nigeria. Within the country, new infections from community transmission are still being recorded. You should practice the non-pharmaceutical protocols like hand washing, wearing of face-covering, and physical distancing that is still in force.

If you are travelling to Nigeria, you need to:

• Get a negative covid-19 PCR test no more than 48 hours before departure.
• Travellers must register and make payment on the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP) for a repeat PCR test to be carried out after arrival.
• Register for your second (repeat) PCR test via – http://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng. This test will be done when you enter Nigeria.

The airline must do a temperature check for all passengers before boarding the plane. If you have any covid-19 symptoms, the airline may prevent you from boarding your flight.

Upon arrival in Nigeria:

• Present evidence of payment for repeat Covid-19 PCR test.
• Fully vaccinated travellers are required to conduct a COVID-19 PCR test on day 2 of arrival.
• Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated passengers are required to observe a mandatory 7-day self-isolation in addition to a COVID-19 PCR test on days 2 and 7 after arrival in Nigeria.

After being cleared of a virus infection, you still need to wear a mask, wash your hands, maintain social distancing and avoid crowds.

When you are going to travel outside of Nigeria, you should check the requirements specified for your destination and stop-overs. You can check on the website of the embassies of the country you intend to visit and call your airline for other specific requirements. Plan for your covid-19 tests as directed by the destination health authority and prepare to be quarantined after entering that country.

Many countries now make it mandatory that you should have received the full course of covid-19 vaccination before arrival.