The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the closure of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for one month over the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
In a statement signed by Captain Musa Nuhu, Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Saturday, it was noted that the closure takes effect from Monday, 23 March and will continue till Thursday, 23 April.
The move comes as the Federal Ministry of Health confirmed 10 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria on Saturday, thereby shooting up the number of confirmed cases to 22.
Nuhu explained that the measure had become important in order to curtail the spread of the virus, which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.
The closure of the Lagos and Abuja international airports is in addition to that of the three other international airports in Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt, which were closed for operations on Saturday.
The statement read: “Further to our earlier letter on the restriction of international flights into Nigeria, we wish to inform you that effective Monday, 23rd March at 2300Z to 23rd April at 2300Z, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos (DNMM) and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja (DNAA) will be closed to all international flights.
“This is in addition to the closure of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (DNKN); Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu (DNEN); and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa (DNPO) effective Saturday, 21 March at 2300Z.
“Henceforth, all airports in Nigeria are closed to all incoming international flights with the exception of emergency and essential flights.
He, however, noted that domestic flight operations would continue normally at all airports in the country.
