One of Nigeria’s airport in Abuja
Following the planned resumption of domestic flight operations scheduled to commence July 8, 2020, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has released a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which is aimed at protecting all stakeholders and preventing further spread of the dreaded Coronavirus (Covid-19).
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 had announced recently that flight operations will recommence gradually at the nation’s airports including Abuja and Lagos airport from July 8. FAAN in a statement by its General Manager Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, said the new procedural guidelines for air travelers and other airport users says that in the “New Normal”, departing passengers must comply with guidelines, which include that passengers must arrive the airport properly wearing face masks.
Passengers she said, must also ensure a minimum of one point five meters (1.5m) physical distancing, Aviation Medical/Port Health personnel would screen each passenger and ensure the use of face masks, those travelling with pets must get necessary clearance from Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services before such pets would be allowed on board.
According to the statement, all passengers’ luggage would be disinfected before entry into the departure halls, just as the passengers would also be required to wash their hands as often as possible, hand sanitizers would be provided for passengers before entrance, at the waiting halls/lounges and pre-boarding gates, all footwear would be disinfected/sanitized by foot mats placed at all entrances to the terminal building, among others.
For arriving passengers, on disembarkation from the aircraft, passengers would observe physical distancing as they board the co-buses (hand sanitizers would be provided in the buses), physical distancing protocols must be observed at the baggage claim area, where hand sanitizer would also provided, disinfected trolleys would be made available for passengers.
The protocol include that all COVID-19 advisories must be observed while undergoing customs check, passengers would exit the halls and head straight to the car park for pick up, If you must speak to anyone around, please speak to a properly tagged Aviation Security (AVSEC) officer, physical distancing would be maintained while waiting to be screened by personnel of port health services, among others.
In addition to the above guidelines, passengers are required to observe social distancing and make use of the floor markings at the security screening area. They must also comply with all other security guidelines as laid down by officials of the Aviation Security (AVSEC) department.
