• All pilots, aircrew members must wear PPEs
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has directed that all pilots and other crew members operating international flights must compulsorily wear Personal Protective Equipment, PPEs, and observe infection prevention measures for the duration of the flight.
This directive was issued in a letter dated, 27 May, signed by the Director-general, Mr Musa Nuhu to all operators, airports, and other service providers as COVID-19 Pandemic Public Health Protocols.
According to the NCAA, the new protocol had been approved by the Federal Ministry of Health.
PUNCH reports that the new protocol states that the flight crew would not be quarantined but would undergo mandatory testing for COVID-19 every 14 days at a cost to the air operator upon return to Nigeria.
It added that flight crew members who test positive for COVID-19 would be taken to a treatment centre for further management.
The authority said the airlines must ensure they have adequate stock of PPE, a minimum of 70 per cent alcohol-based hand sanitisers and Universal Precaution Kits onboard aircraft before the flight.
Providing further guidelines on how the crew should use the PPEs, the NCAA said flight deck crew should wear non-medical face mask and gloves.
The NCAA said flight crew was to maintain a safe distance between passengers and themselves, avoiding direct physical contact.
It said the cabin crew would serve only pre-packed meals to passengers, adding that where practicable, the flight crew would reserve one lavatory for their own use.
