COVID-19: NCAA harmonises preventive measures at airports

Following the first recorded confirmed case of COVID-19 on 27th February 2020 in Lagos, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has harmonised preventive measures at the nations airports.

NCAA over the weekend explained that in line 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) that 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 the facilitation of travel.

According to the industry authority, NCAA will continue to ensure that airlines assist with the tracking of passengers who may have come in contact with the suspect or ill persons as well as other measures the National Surveillance Systems requires.

This is sequel to the fact that the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Lagos State Ministry of Health, and Ogun State Ministry of Health have swiftly responded to ensure there is no further spread of the disease.

The NCAA said in a statement signed by its Director-General on Sunday, Capt. Musa Nuhu, that all contingency plans for public health events in Aviation have been activated including airport-specific Public Health Emergency Contingency Plans (PHECPs).

NCAA has ensured that all measures adopted at Nigerian airports are in accordance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and the WHO International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).

“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 the suspect or ill travellers and any other measures they may adopt. Airlines, Airport operators, Security agencies and other aviation industry stakeholders are advised to take appropriate precaution to protect their staff.”