The Federal Government has shut Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to international flights.
The decision which takes effect from Monday is part of the precautionary measures being put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The closure of the two airports is in addition to the closure of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa effective Saturday, March 21.
The decision is coming as the number of cases of the disease in the country rose from 12 to 22.
The ten new cases announced on Saturday raised the number to 22.
Announcing the closure of the airports to international flights, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Musa Nuhu, said the order would remain till April 23.
Emergency and essential flights could, however, be operated from any of the airports during the period, Nuhu said.
This is as he stated that domestic flight operations would not be affected.
His words: “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.”
