Ebola: NCAA warns foreign airlines against boarding passengers without health forms

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said it would sanction any international airline that fails to ensure that every passenger and crew member scheduled to arrive in Nigeria completes the mandatory Health Declaration Form before boarding.

In a circular addressed to all international carriers, the NCAA, which sits on the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, said the update follows advice from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), which worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen the guidance on the form.

Under the directive, no one will be allowed to board any flight entering Nigeria without completing the form. The requirement covers all categories of travellers, including diplomats, legislators, children, adults and aircrew. The NCAA said any international airline that allows a passenger to board in breach of the rule will be held accountable, and such carriers will be sanctioned in line with existing laws and Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.

The circular reads: “The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), as a member of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), has been working closely with other members of the Task Force, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), to ensure the effective coordination and implementation of appropriate public health measures for the prevention and control of Ebola Virus Disease.”

“Following the recent confirmation of an Ebola case in Nigeria, the NCDC, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and Africa, has advised that the existing guidance on the Health Declaration Form be updated.

“All international airlines shall ensure that every passenger including diplomats, legislators, children, adults and all aircrew scheduled to arrive in Nigeria complete and submit the prescribed Health Declaration Form before boarding. No passenger shall be permitted to board an aircraft without fulfilling this requirement.

“Airlines shall be held accountable for passengers who are permitted to board in violation of this directive.

“Airlines in violation of the above directive shall be sanctioned inline with the existing laws and Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.

“All arriving passengers and aircrew shall be subject to additional health screening upon arrival in Nigeria, where deemed necessary by the relevant health authorities, in accordance with established public health surveillance and preparedness protocols.

“All airlines are hereby directed to ensure strict and immediate implementation of this directive.”