The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has stated that with effect from today March 11, 2020, regional, International Airline passengers coming into Nigeria without documented proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever (Yelow Card) would be vaccinated At Point of Entry.

As a result, the regulatory body has directed airlines operating regional and international flights into Nigeria to inform passengers their passengers that apart from vaccinating the process for obtaining the Yellow Card would also be initiated

The directive according to a letter dated March 11,2020  and signed by the General Manager of Aero-medical Standards, NCAA, Dr W Haggia for the Director General of NCAA, followed a review of  the implementation of operationalisation of Nigeria Point of Entry Policy on the prevention  and control of cross border transmission of Yellow Fever carried out by the Federal Ministry of Health.

According to NCAA, the review of the policy became necessary becuase of the competing priority of the ongoing Entry screening at the country’s point of Entry by Port Health Services of COVID-19.

The Entry screening of passengers, which is due to COVID-19 outbreak, NCAA stated would be prioritised  by the Port Health Services until the outbreak has been effectively contained.

“Consequent upon the above , I have been directed by the Director General to inform lines operating regional and international flights to into and out of Nigeria to implement the review policy of the Federal Ministry of Health as follows

“Passengers coming to Nigeria without documented proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever (valid Yellow Card) be allowed to board but be advised that they will be vaccinated accordingly at Point of Entry and the process for obtaining the Yellow Card will be initiated

“For a passengers departing Nigeria, a Yellow Card will be required for boarding and

“Airlines are to communicate this to their passengers accordingly

The policy review, NCAA said takes immediate effect from March 11, 2020 and that the agency to strictly and immediately comply with the policy .