The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has clarified the restriction of international flights into the country.

In a statement on Tuesday by its Director of Public Affairs, James Odaudu, it said flights considered essential for which permissions for landing may be sought and granted were excluded from the restriction.

According to the agency, these include aircraft in a state of emergency, overflights, and operations related to humanitarian services, as well as medical and relief services.

Others are alternate aerodromes identified in the flight plan, including those used for extended diversion time operations, technical stops where passengers do not disembark, cargo flights and other safety-related operations.

“It must be noted that, with the exception of aircraft in a state of emergency, request for approval for other flights is required and must be directed to the Honourable Minister of Aviation who is the sole authority to grant approval.

“It should be noted also that protocol for the operation and handling of such flights will be provided with each approval, while flight crew shall not have physical contact with designated government officials and ground workers,” the statement said.

The NCAA also revealed that all airline operators have been directed to deploy some measures to protect passengers and the citizens against the further spread of COVID-19 in the country.

It said all persons entering any airport terminal – domestic and international – must undergo temperature check and hand-cleaning with sanitisers before being allowed to board any aircraft.

The agency added that all airplanes must be disinfected before boarding by passengers, stressing that the directives has been conveyed to all airline operators.