The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has conceded to the demands of Nigeria to expunge the requirement for a rapid antigen test for any passenger travelling through the Nigerian airports to the Middle East country.

The UAE also restricted the number of arriving passengers to its country to just 200 passengers per flight for the next two weeks.

These were contained in a letter dated March 24, 2021 issued by UAE at its Abuja embassy office to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Protocol Department) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with reference to the ministry verbal note No K.521/2021.

Travellers heading to the United Arab Emirates from Nigeria have been stuck over the past two months due to Nigeria’s clash with the UAE government over pre-departure testing requirements for passengers.

The Emirates Airline and Air Peace suspended flights from Nigeria to Dubai and Sharjah last month after UAE insisted passengers flying from Nigeria directly must conduct RDT within four hours before departure, however, Emirates continued to bring in passengers from the UAE.

But last week, the Federal Government temporarily banned Emirates Airline from operating in the country over its continuous refusal to fly passengers without a pre-boarding rapid diagnostic tests (RTD).

However, in the recent letter by the UAE embassy, it stated that the UAE has decided to remove the requirement for a rapid antigen test at the airports in Nigeria while demanding some requirements.

The UAE requires that only direct flights between UAE and Nigeria are allowed and passengers need to present a valid negative PCR test conducted within 48 hours before boarding.

The Nigerian government is required to provide the embassy with updated lists of approved PCR test centres by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Airlines are required to ensure the accuracy of the passengers’ information contact details and place to stay during their stay in UAE.

“The embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Abuja avails itself of the opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the assurances of its highest considerations.

“The embassy has the honour to convey the response to the competent authorities in the UAE regarding the ongoing flight halt between UAE and Nigeria as well as the travel requirements for travellers to the UAE,” the letter reads. (Daily Independent)

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