The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on Monday cleared cargo flights and aircraft in emergency for operations.

In a circular to foreign and domestic airline operators, the NCAA also said over flights, operations related to humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights were considered essential and would be permitted to operate.

According to the regulatory agency, others considered for exemption from the international flights restriction include technical stop where passengers do not disembark and other safety operations.

“With the exception of aircraft in a state of emergency, request for approval for other flights is required and should be addressed to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika,” the circular read in part.

The NCAA had on Saturday announced that the Murtala Muhammed International, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja would be closed to international flights from Monday, March 23.

The NCAA also said on Monday that all aircraft must be disinfected and all passengers’ temperature checked and hands sanitised before each flight.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Immigration Service has suspended for one month the processing of passports and migrant e-Registration due to the current outbreak and spread of COVID-19.

The Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, gave the directive in a statement on Monday by the Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday James.