Yemisi Izuora
The Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu said the agency has put measures in place that would continue to ensure that airlines assist with the tracking of passengers who may have come in contact with suspect or ill persons as well as other measures the National Surveillance Systems requires.
He said the measures adopted to curb the spread of CoronaVirus in the country through the airports are in accordance to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and World Health Organisation (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).
Nuhu advised the travelling public to remain calm but alert and take necessary precaution in protecting themselves while traveling, including alerting crew members and airport facilitation staff to travellers that may look ill or showing signs and symptoms of the disease.
The NCAA chief in a statement signed noted that all contingency plans for public health events in Aviation had been activated including airport-specific Public Health Emergency Contingency Plans (PHECPs).
Nuhu who stated that the agency was working with the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA), said it has been working with the Federal Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders in the aviation industry to ensure all travellers coming into the country are adequately screened while causing minimum disruption to facilitation of travel.
Airlines, airport operators, security agencies and other aviation industry stakeholders have also been advised to take appropriate precaution to protect their staff.
He lauded the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Lagos State Ministry of Health, and Ogun State Ministry of Health for swiftly responding to ensure there is no further spread of the disease.
His words, “Airlines and other airport users are advised to heed the guidance of Port Health Services (a division of the Federal Ministry of Health and Competent Public Health Authority at Point of Entry) on the use of screening forms, assessment of suspect or ill travellers and any other measures they may adopt”.
“Travellers returning from countries experiencing community transmission of the COVID-19 should present themselves to Port Health Services on arrival at the Point of Entry – International Airport. Travellers who develop signs and symptoms of the disease after returning from a trip abroad are to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest Health facility or call the NCDC on 0800-970000-10,” he added.
