The FG said they would, however, be subjected to rapid antigen test at the airport by the NCDC within the arrival hall of the airport free of charge.

The decision was coming after the complaints by many travellers over the cost placed on the PCR test.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Chairman, Boss Mustapha disclosed this at the National briefing of the Committee in Abuja.

He added that passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated are mandated to take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure or do a Day 2 and day 7 test on arrival, noting that such passengers must pay for the tests.

Mustapha, who is  also the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, noted that this directive would take effect from April 4.

He said, “The PSC has reviewed these situations around the world and applies such to the situation in Nigeria and have revised the International Travel Protocols, which should come into effect on Monday, 4th April, 2022 as follows:

“Inbound (fully vaccinated) passengers arriving in Nigeria will no longer be required to take a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 Test;

“On arrival, for fully vaccinated passengers, a sample will be taken at the airport for rapid antigen test by the NCDC within the arrival hall of the airport;

“Passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated shall take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure, or do a Day 2 and day 7 test on arrival. Such passengers will be expected to pay for their PCR tests through the travel platform;

“Fully vaccinated passengers will not be charged for arrival rapid antigen tests at the airport;

“Rules that apply to fully vaccinated adults also apply to children aged 10 – 18 years; they will not be required to have pre-arrival PCR tests but will have a sample taken at the arrival hall but not charged”

Mustapha urged all passengers travelling out of Nigeria to be fully vaccinated and to comply with COVID-19 protocols and requirements in their country of destination.

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, made this known while addressing Christian leaders on the second phase of COVID-19 vaccinations on Tuesday.

“I am glad to inform you that from this Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, we have introduced Sunday Vaccination.

“This is to ensure members of the Christian community who may not have had access to the vaccine for whatever reason are given an opportunity to be vaccinated at their worship places.

“I must say that feedback from the field is very encouraging and I sincerely thank all Christian leaders who have given the vaccination team access to their churches and their members to receive COVID-19 vaccine during Sunday service,” he said.

InsideOjodu had on Saturday reported that the Director of Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey in a statement announced that the administration of the vaccination would commence on Tuesday.

But, in another notice on Sunday, Bassey said the exercise had been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.

The notice titled, ‘Postponement of phase II of national vacation programme,’ reads, “This is to announce the postponement of the national flag-off exercise of phase II vaccination programme earlier scheduled for Tuesday this week due to unforeseen circumstances.

“A new date will be communicated, please.”

The State, following this shut down all COVID-19 vaccination centres across the State on Thursday.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi who disclosed this in a statement explained that the government took the decision following the directive of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NPHCDA.

The NPHCDA had instructed States to stop vaccination after administering half of the doses issued to them to give opportunity for the second dose of the already vaccinated individuals.

“Lagos State inoculated 257,756 persons, as of 15th of April 2021, consisting of health workers, frontline workers including; security agents, ports of entry staff, judiciary, petrol station workers, contingency workers and strategic leaders.

“The government went a step further to vaccinate willing pensioners, people aged 70 and above, teachers and journalists during the same period,” Abayomi said.

The first phase of the vaccination which began in Lagos on March 12, 2021 took an average of 20 days.

Prof Abayomi said this phase of vaccination would ensure that at least, 1 percent of Lagos residents take the full complement of doses required to enable the protection the vaccine promises.

The State Commissioner for Health said the exercise ended on Tuesday, 13th April 2021, and consequently, the government has shut down its entire vaccination centres.

According to him, Lagos is the only state which has inoculated more than 200,000 residents during this period.

Abayomi added that the remaining doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine are stored at the Lagos State Cold Chain Store for the 2nd dose exercise, which would begin on the 28th of May 2021.

He advised Lagos residents to check their vaccination cards for their next appointment dates and report to the same health facilities where they got their initial dose for their second dose.