FG relaxes policy on e-yellow card requirement for inbound passengers

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a new directive to all airlines operating regional and international flights into Nigeria to allow passengers without International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), known as Yellow card board henceforth.

This directive according to Sam Adurogboye, the spokesperson for NCAA, supersedes the earlier one issued on compulsory possession of Yellow Card.

However, passengers are advised that they will be vaccinated accordingly at Points of Entry and the process for obtaining the e-yellow card will be initiated.

This policy shift followed a letter received from the Federal Ministry of Health dated 11th March, 2020 reviewing the implementation of the operationalization of Nigeria Points of Entry policy on the prevention and control of cross border transmission of Yellow fever.

“The review of the policy arose from the competing priority of the on-going entry screening of our Points of Entry by the Port Health Services for COVID-19. Hence, entry screening of passengers due to the COVID-19 outbreak will be prioritized by the Port Health Services ″until the outbreak has been effectively contained’’.

The NCAA states that all airlines operating these flights from 11th March, 2020 are required to implement the reviewed policy of the Federal Ministry of Health.

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It explains that passengers coming to Nigeria without documented proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever (valid yellow card) are allowed to board but be advised that they will be vaccinated accordingly at Points of Entry and the process for obtaining the e-yellow card will be initiated.

The letter also urged passengers departing Nigeria, that a valid Yellow card will be required for boarding. It appeals to the affected Airlines to communicate this policy to their passengers accordingly.

“This policy review is with effect from 11th March, 2020,” the letter stated.

The NCAA therefore, emphasizes that strict and immediate compliance is required.

IFEOMA OKEKE

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.