London, Dec. 25, 2020 (AltAfrica)-Passengers from UK and South Africa arriving Nigeria are to be specially monitored in the country after Nigerian government ordered airport authorities to open a special register at the airports for specifically to track and ensure they present themselves for the COVID-19 test on day seven.

The move was on the heel of reports over the discovery of a new variant of COVID-19, in the two countries which is considered to be more virulent from the two countries.

Additional two cases of new strain of COVID-19 linked to South Africa have been identified in the UK, Matt Hancock said

Aside the special register, Nigerian government also ordered port health authorities to pay special attention to flights originating from these two countries to ensure that that the passengers from those two countries abide by the protocol on the post arrival PCR Test.

READ ALSO: MOROCCO PURCHASES 65 MILLION DOSES OF 2 COVID-19 VACCINES

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 equally announced new travel rules for passengers coming into Nigeria from South Africa and the UK where new variants of the virus have been discovered.

1041 new #COVID19 cases

Lagos-316
FCT-210
Kaduna-83
Plateau-70
Gombe-56
Oyo-56
Katsina-47
Nasarawa-35
Kano-33
Ogun-21
Rivers-17
Niger-14
Imo-14
Delta-12
Kwara-12
Edo-12
Benue-9
Anambra-8
Taraba-4
Ekiti-4
Ebonyi-6
Bayelsa-1
Sokoto-1

81963 confirmed
69651 discharged
1242 deaths pic.twitter.com/2h2OCfNAcq

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) December 24, 2020

The National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr Sani Aliyu made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja, during a media briefing.

Aliyu said effective from Monday, December 28, 2020, all passengers coming into the country from the UK and South Africa on direct flights must use the Nigerian International Travel Portal to register

They are to also fill in the health questionnaire and must upload a negative COVID-19, polymerase chain reaction, (PCR) result with a validity of not more than five days.

He added that travelers must pay for a COVID-19 PCR test at day seven of arrival in the country without which they would not be allowed to board the flights.

He said there would be sanctions on passengers that presented fake PRC results.

“We’ll continue to be concerned about the emergence of the new variant coronavirus in the UK and additional mutate that was described coming from South Africa.

“The system for travels in terms of ensuring the safety of our citizens and preventing the importation of cases in the country is one of the most strict.

“We are one of the few countries that do double testing, that have a travel portal where you can go in and enter your details including your health questionnaire and pay for a test.

“Specifically, for the UK and South Africa, the PTF has met and we have decided that additional measures will be required to ensure safety of our citizens.

“So effective from 00 hours on Monday, Dec. 28, all passengers coming into the country from the UK and South Africa on direct flights, must use the Nigerian International Travel Portal to register.

“Fill in the health questionnaire and must upload a negative COVID-19 PCR result with a validity of not more than five days and must pay for a COVID PCR test at day seven of arrival in country.

“When you are leaving the UK or South Africa, you need two documents that you have to present to the airlines.

“The first document is a negative COVID-19 PCR result, second is a permit to travel document, which we use to refer to as the QR code.

“The only way you can get the permit to travel on the travel portal is by filling in your health questionnaire electronically, uploading your PCR result and paying for the day seven test.

“If you do not present a permit travel or you cannot present a travel permit, the airlines are being directed not to board.

“So if you are coming into Nigeria from the UK and South Africa, it is in your best interest to familiarise yourself with the Nigerian International Travel Portal and make sure that you put in your health details.