Amidst the growing number of coronavirus confirmed cases, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, will be shut effective Monday, March 23, the Federal Government says.
The Federal Ministry of Health had, earlier on Saturday, said the number of cases in Nigeria had risen to twenty-two with no casualty, while two had been discharged.
In a statement by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Musa Nuhu, the closure of the Lagos and Abuja airports are in addition to the three other international airports in Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt shut for flight operations on Saturday.
However, Nuhu disclosed that the closure would last till April 23 as emergency and essential flights could be operated from any of the airports within the period, while domestic flight operations would also continue normally at all airports.
“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.
“Domestic flights will continue normal operations at all airports,” the statement said.