By Nneka Nwogwugwu
After 48 hours of lifting an initial travel ban, the United Arab Emirates has again suspended flights to and from Nigeria.
In a statement by Emirates Airlines via its official website on Monday, stated, “In line with government directives, passenger flights to and from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) are suspended with effect from 21 June 2021 until further notice.”
The airlines also revealed that customers travelling to and from Lagos and Abuja will not be accepted for travel. Likewise, passengers who have been to or connected through Nigeria in the last 14 days are not permitted to board from any other point to the UAE.
The airline reaffirmed its “commitment to Nigeria” while looking forward to resuming passenger services “when conditions allow.”
Recall that the Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management had earlier announced the resumption of flights from Nigeria on Saturday after several months of a ban in line with the country’s Covid-19 protocols.
In the statement released via the UAE government official website, travel protocols were also provided for inbound passengers from South Africa, Nigeria and India.
The decision was meant to be effective by 23rd June.
According to the statement, Nigerian passengers were required to “present a negative test result for a PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure.
“The negative PCR test certificate should carry a QR Code and the test must have been conducted by labs approved by the Nigerian Government. Passengers must also undergo a PCR test on arrival in Dubai,” the statement added.
