The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has announced that international flights will resume from the 29th of August 2020.
Sirika, who announced this at Monday’s briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, said Nigeria’s international airports have reached advanced stages of preparedness for the resumption of international flight operations.
He also took to his Twitter handle @hadisirika, to further explain that the resumption will begin with Lagos and Abuja as was done with the domestic flight resumption.
As a result, he said, all evacuation flights which were introduced in the country in the wake of the ban on international flights occasioned by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, will end on 25th August 2020.
He also noted that protocols and procedures will be announced in due course.
The tweet read, “Glad to announce the resumption of international flights from the 29th of August, 2020. Beginning with Lagos and Abuja as we did with the domestic flight resumption. Protocols and procedures will be announced in due course. We thank you for your patience.”
Sirika further said, that passengers must take a COVID-19 test wherever they’re coming from very close to departure dates.
“A portal will also be opened for passengers to pay for another COVID-19 test to be done eight days after arrival in Nigeria.
“They will also fill in health questionnaires online, and hand them in at the point of entry, instead of filling the forms on the aircraft or on arrival”.
The Minister, noted that non-pharmaceutical measures including physical distancing, wearing of nose masks, washing of hands, and temperature checks will remain in place.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have expressed great happiness over the news, which most of them said, is “the best news ever” since the pandemic.
Recall that many Nigerians and foreigners alike had been stuck for over 4 months in different countries due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
A Twitter user, Priscilla Fadele @PriscillaGlobal said “Finally!!!!!!!!!💃 God bless your future ambition sir!!!”.
Another user @KendonLaundry said, “This is the best news I’ve ever received since this pandemic, I almost kill my self, may Allah listen to the whole problem you’re passing through and fulfill your heart desires sir, you’ll never lack”.
Sulaiman Abdullah @DrSulaimanAA12 said, “Congratulations to everyone who has been in gruesome wait for the announcement of the international travel in Nigeria. I am can’t [sic] really express my happiness seeing the Minister’s post just now! Not knowing exactly when we leave for our bases has had tremendous effect on a lot of [sic]”
Ibrahim Ishaq @almuneer13 said, “Alhamdulillah since 10th april my wife has deliver [sic] a baby girl now the has 4 month [sic] but i didn’t see her because of this situation now I’m very happy for this thank you so much @hadisirika”.
