COVID-19: UAE Extends Ban On Nigeria Flights
Thompson Nsisongabasi
Mar 11, 2021
The United Arab Emirates government has announced that it is extending the ban on Nigerian flights till March 20.
READ ALSO: See The Punishment IGP Gave To Policemen Who Ran Over A Citizen In Edo | READ DETAILS
Recall that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had on February 5 suspended Emirates airline from Nigeria, alleging flouting of COVID-19 protocols.
READ ALSO: Nigerian gay activist, Bisi Alimi says colonalism ruined same-se.x in Africa
The NCAA also ban the carrier for the introduction of rapid antigen test as a requirement for Dubai travellers against the Nigerian government's negative PCR requirements.
Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu had announced the ban on February 4, 2021.
READ ALSO: Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
The NCAA said the ban was necessitated by the continued airlift of passengers from Nigeria using the Rapid Antigen Tests (RDT) conducted by laboratories that are "neither approved nor authorized by the appropriate regulatory."
READ ALSO: H0T! DR Congo identifies rebels responsible for Italian ambassador's death | READ DETAILS
This resulted in a situation with the UAE banning Nigeria flights for several weeks - had been extended on other occasions.
READ ALSO: I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
In a statement from the public relations firm for Emirates, UAE said customers from both Abuja and Lagos would not be accepted for travel prior to or including this date.
READ ALSO: FULL LIST: Trump Orders US Withdrawal From Over 60 Global Organisations
The statement said, "In line with government directives, passenger services from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) to Dubai are temporarily suspended until 20 March 2021.
"Customers from both Abuja and Lagos will not be accepted for travel prior to or including this date. Passengers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days are not allowed entry into the UAE (whether terminating in or connecting through Dubai)."
READ ALSO: How A Muslim Man Allegedly R-aped Woman In A Church In Kaduna | READ DETAILS
The statement however noted that Emirates flights from Dubai to Lagos and Abuja will continue as scheduled.
Related Stories
REVEALED: How All Progressives Congress (APC) Played Into The Opposition Hands Ahead Of 2027 - Sumner Sambo Warns
I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
Tinubu Breaks Silence on Hardship, Inflation, Power Crisis - Vows Nigeria Will Overcome Economic Storm
"Terrorists Have Outgunned Our Troops" - Ndume Raises Alarm Over Boko Haram War, Sends Urgent Message To Tinubu
""
— Thompson Nsisongabasi