Foreign travelers who do not have proof of payment for their COVID-19 PCR test will no longer be denied entry into the country, according to the Federal Government.

A memo issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority instructed foreign airlines to now board passengers who do not have proof of payment for the day seven COVID-19 PCR test or who do not have a paid QR code or a valid permit to fly.

“Permission for airlines to board passengers traveling to Nigeria who are unable to show evidence of payment for day seven COVID-19 PCR test or generate paid QR code/permit to fly,” read the memo, which was approved on September 11, 2021, by Musa Nuhu, Director-General of the National Civil Aviation Authority.

It was decided, according to Nuhu, since certain visitors to Nigeria are encountering difficulties when attempting to enter their health and travel histories into Nigeria’s International Travel Portal.

For a long time, international travelers were required to provide proof of payment for their COVID-19 PCR test before being allowed to board a flight.

Those passengers, however, will be asked to pay for a repeat day-7 COVID-19 PCR test at their final destination airport in Nigeria, according to the airline’s spokesman.

“The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has been made aware of challenges some travelers are experiencing while trying to fill their Health and travel history into the Nigeria International Travel Portal,” the document stated.

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“Airlines are thereby permitted to board any traveler to Nigeria who is unable to either pay for the repeat Day Seven COVID-19 PCR test or generate the paid QR code/ permit to fly.

“Such passengers will be required to make payment for the repeat Day Seven COVID-19 PCR test at their destination airport in Nigeria.

“Holders of Diplomatic passports and Children aged 10 years and below who are unable to complete NITP are to be allowed to board the flight.

“Their health declaration and travel history will be captured by the Port Health Services (PHS) at the destination airport.

“Airlines are to bring this information to the knowledge of the passenger and ensure strict compliance with above-stated conditions.”