The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, says only Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, will be open to accept international flights.
The NCAA in a letter to all operator signed by the Director General, Capt Musa Nuhu, said the move became necessary as part of measures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
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He said effective from March 21, 2020, Kano, Enugu, and Por Harcourt Airports would be closed to international flights as only Lagos and Abuja airports would be opened to international flights.
Nuhu noted that going by the government’s restrictions of 13 countries into the nation as a result of the COVID-19, all persons arriving into the country and might have visited any of the restricted countries 15 days priory to their arrival to Nigeria, must be subjected to supervised self isolation and testing for 14 days.
The NCAA DG said the travel restrictions is applicable to all flight crew of the countries restricted.
Subsequently, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 announced the closure of three international airports in the country as part of measures taken to combat the spread of Coronavirus.
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In a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation/ Chairman PTF, Boss Mustapha, stated that effective from Saturday, March 21, 2020, midnight, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and the Port-Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa will be closed to all international flights.
However, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos will remain opened to and accept international flights irrespective of the type of operations.
All stakeholders are enjoined to collaborate with Port Health Services in the identification of suspects/persons at points of entry and to bring such persons to the attention of Port Health Officers for appropriate action.
Meanwhile, the PTF urged all Nigerians to remain calm and cooperate with the instructions already issued by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on modes of worship and gatherings at this time not exceeding 50 persons.
The PTF assured Nigerians that adequate and appropriate information will be made available in due course.
