Travel News

The Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) last week inspected facilities at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, where a new terminal that was recently completed is to be inaugurated by the federal government.

The FAAN delegation, which was led by the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Authority, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu also had a team from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on the tour.

The management of the agency also commenced a 10-day facility tour of the nation’s 23 airports. The tour is aimed at assessing the infrastructural needs of the airports, while also evaluating their preparations for the annual surge in passenger traffic usually occasioned by the Yuletide season, as well as the level of compliance with covid-19 protocols at the airports.

At the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, the Managing Director also used the opportunity to address members of staff at the airport. He assured them that management would continue to prioritize staff welfare and improve on their conditions of service. He enjoined them to continue to discharge their duties with the highest level of professionalism and dedication.

The team, which also included the Authority’s Directors of Finance, Mrs. Nike Aboderin; Engineering Services, Engr. Salisu Nurudeen Daura; Commercial and Business Development, Mr. Sadiku Abdulkadir Rafindadi; Airport Security Services, Rtd. Group Captain Usman Abubakar Sadiq; Airport Operations, Capt. Mukthar Muye; Human Resources, Mr. Norris Anozie; and Legal Adviser, Dr. Clifford Omozeighan will be proceeding to Bauchi, Kaduna, Gombe and Maiduguri airports, before taking another batch of airports.

Lufthansa on Thursday welcomed passengers at Lagos airport on board on resumption of its nonstop flight from Frankfurt/Germany after an eight-month suspension following the COVID-19 restrictions.

The leading German carrier will offer up to five weekly departures from Lagos to Frankfurt and starting on 08 December also connect the capital Abuja with three weekly departures.

All long-haul flights depart from Nigeria in the evening as overnight flights, arriving in Lufthansa’s main hub Frankfurt in the early morning.

This allows all passengers from Nigeria to get the full choice of connecting flights to European, American and Asian destinations, leaving all from the same terminal 1.

‘’Lufthansa always was and will stay dedicated to Nigeria, one of our key markets in Africa. As we have received the final permission to reopen our flight operations, we are happy to be the first airline to reconnect Nigeria directly to the centre of Europe and onwards to all other continents.

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” We offer a considerable number of flights to the US and Canada, allowing our Nigerian guests to have family members and friends again at reach throughout the world.

” Health and safety continues to be our top priority and we are committed to maintain a strict adherence to hygiene regulations for all our flights,” General Manager Nigeria & Equatorial Guinea Lufthansa Group Airlines Adenike Macaulay, said.

Lufthansa flight LH568, Frankfurt to Lagos, serviced by an Airbus 330-300, offers passengers seats in all three classes, including Business Class and Premium Economy Class.

After its arrival in Lagos this service will continue to Malabo /Equatorial Guinea.

The nonstop flight will commence with three weekly departures on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to be increased to five weekly frequencies every day except Tuesdays and Sundays.

The return flight will be scheduled on the same days of operations reaching Frankfurt only after six hours flight.

LH594 will be the flight number for the resumed connection between Frankfurt and Abuja with three weekly departures.

An Airbus 330-300 connects the Nigerian capital to the financial centre of Germany, Frankfurt, also with seats in three classes.

Finally, it is planned this flight will also resume service to Port Harcourt; however, this onward flight is not yet confirmed until the airport is reopened.

As of now, all flights can be booked immediately through the usual distribution channels and the airlines’ website www.lufthansa.com.

The Lufthansa Group has taken special hygiene measures to protect passengers and employees. These apply not only on board, but also before and after the journey. Details of these measures can be found at www.lufthansa.com/de/en/protection-measures. Passengers are required to check travel and destination entry requirements before departure.

An important note for passengers: according to the current regulations, all intending travellers to Nigeria must have tested negative for Covid-19 as PCR test in the country of departure pre-boarding. The PCR test must be done within 120 hours before departure and preferably within 72 hours pre-boarding. International travellers will require a second test to be done in Nigeria, seven days after arrival. Registration for travellers to Nigeria is mandatory on https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng/. For those travelling to Germany, no mandatory PCR test is required, however passengers are required to register on https://einreiseanmeldung.de and stay in quarantine for 10 days after entry. Transit passengers are expected to abide by health and safety measures in their destination Country.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Lagos State Government has warned incoming passengers who shun the Federal Government’s guidelines against COVID-19 to stop it or face the consequences.

This is to protect Lagosians against the fatal effects of the reversal of the gains made against the pandemic, which are loss of lives, livelihood and economic hardship.

The Federal Government has said those who will not respect the protocols will have their passports impounded or visas cancelled.

Prior to resumption of International flights and the lifting of International travel restriction by the Federal Government, in line with the ease of COVID-19 lockdown, the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID19, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) developed and disseminated International travel guidelines as part of the continued effort to limit the spread of the COVID19 infection.

A statement issued by the Lagos Commissioners for Health and Information and Strategy, Prof. Akin Abayomi and Gbenga Omotoso respectively said the international travel guidelines outlined very specific and clear protocols and guidelines for inbound and outbound flights and passengers – in line with infection prevention measures.

“Well spelt out in the travel guidelines is a provisional 7- day self quarantine protocol for all returning travelers to Nigeria which became effective from the 5th of September, 2020.

“The Global pandemic is not abating and, indeed, many European and American countries are experiencing second and third waves with devastating impacts on lives and livelihoods. To protect Lagos and Nigeria from the risk of imported cases, which may push us into a second wave, it is imperative that we follow the National Guidelines published by the Presidential Task Force (PTF). This is particularly important as we will be expecting a large influx of travelers for the festive Christmas season.

“On the 3rd of November 2020, the Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the PTF was highly concerned about the default rate of inbound travelers not presenting for the mandatory COVID-19 test on day 7 in Nigeria. The SGF stated that the PTF was set to sanction travelers who refused to present themselves for a mandatory COVID-19 (PCR) test. Mustapha said that the need has now arisen to activate the sanctions, which include the suspension of passports of such defaulting individuals for six months minimum or outright visa cancellation for foreigners,” the statement said.

The government said according to the provisional quarantine protocol, all intending inbound passengers must test negative by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) done in the country of departure within 72 hours of boarding and were required to register via – http://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng and pay for a repeat (second) PCR test to be done upon arrival in Nigeria on day seven at an accredited lab of their choice.

“Passengers must also prior to boarding fill in an online Health Declaration/Self-Reporting form located on the Nigeria International Travel Portal which must be submitted online or printed for presentation on arrival in Nigeria.

“On arrival in Nigeria, passengers must show evidence of payment with an appointment for a repeat PCR test in-country following which passengers will be cleared through the Nigeria Immigration Service.

“Passengers must then proceed on a 7-day self-isolation as per protocol and present at the designated accredited sample collection sites on the 7th day of arrival. Passengers who test negative after seven days will end self- isolation on the 8th day.

“Positive cases will be managed based on National Guidelines for COVID-19 treatment through our EKOTELEMED Service,” it said.

The state government lamented that it had been reported severally through notification from Port Health Services, NCDC, the Lagos State Biobank and Accredited Private Laboratories carrying out COVID-19 tests that inbound passengers arriving Nigeria were breaching the COVID-19 protocols.

“We have on good authority that some passengers having registered and paid for COVID-19 test have failed to report to assigned private laboratories after completion of their seven days isolation. Some incoming passengers even failed to register and pay for the test altogether whilst making their journey to the country in total disregard and breach of the safety protocols.

“Likewise, a large number of international passengers provided wrong information and contact details while registering online, making it difficult for them to be reached, traced or contacted by our logistics team.

“This is not only worrisome but portends danger for public health and safety as the populace stands the risk of infection from any asymptomatic positive case who perhaps is not aware of his/her status.

“We are definitely not going to fold our arms and watch the gains made by us against the disease to be reversed by the irresponsibility of some citizens who choose to flagrantly disregard our guidelines. This is why we are set to take action against people who flout these protocols,” the statement said.

The government said it had reported these trends to the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 who in turn had directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to take action against travellers who breached the travel protocols and guidelines.

It said the Federal Government, through the Immigration Service is compiling names and passport number of returned passengers who were yet to present themselves for the PCR test.

“We wish to advise those who fall within these category to rethink their decision and present themselves for the test within one week to avoid deactivation of their passport.

“If you are in Lagos State and wish to rebook your test or get your sample collected, kindly contact the Lagos State Biobank via email on [email protected]; or our logistics arm on [email protected].

“We are also aware of the misinformation making the rounds , especially on social media, that the PCR test in Nigeria for inbound travelers has been cancelled. We wish to state categorically that this is absolute falsehood being peddled by mischief makers bent on eroding the success recorded in the fight against COVID-19 in Lagos and Nigeria.

“As Nigeria continues the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the resources available to the public health laboratories are for public testing and cannot be re-purposed for travelers. However citizens who fall within the case definition of COVID-19 symptoms can have a test done free of charge at any of the Public Health laboratories scheduled for that purpose.

“In Lagos State, our resolve to stop COVID-19 transmission amongst the populace is unshaken and we will continue to pursue vigorously all our strategies and plans to ensure a COVID-19 free Lagos and Nigeria. It is also important that Lagos residents remain vigilant but calm as the Lagos State Government is doing everything within its powers to protect the lives and livelihoods of its residents,” the government said.

By Dennis Erezi

The United States has removed the reciprocity fee imposed on visa applications for Nigerians.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Ferdinand Nwonye in a statement on Friday said the reciprocity fee removal took effect from December 3.

“The ministry of foreign affairs wishes to inform that the United States government has removed all visa reciprocity fees for Nigerian citizens seeking visas to the United States,” Nwonye said.

“The positive development is in line with the removal of excess visa application, processing and biometric fees for United States citizens applying for Nigerian visas by the Nigerian government,” he added.

United States in August 2019 ordered an increase in the cost of visa application for Nigerians.

It explained that it was “reciprocating” the extra visa fee the Nigerian government charges American citizens.

“The reciprocity fee will be charged in addition to the non-immigrant visa application fee, also known as the MRV fee, which all applicants pay at the time of application,” US Embassy said.

“Nigerian citizens whose applications for a non-immigrant visa are denied will not be charged the new reciprocity fee. Both reciprocity and MRV fees are non-refundable, and their amounts vary based on visa classification,” it added.

The US embassy, however, said it took the decision in accordance with Section 281 of its Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and following almost two years of failed negotiations with the Nigerian government, through the Foreign Affairs and Interior ministries.

It noted that until Nigeria government requests for the reduction in visa fee, “the reciprocity fees for approved visas to the United States will remain in place.”

Hours after the hike in the visa application fee, the Nigerian government yielded to the US demands and reduced its visa application fee.

“The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, has been directed to implement the decrease in Nigeria’s Visa charges to US Citizens to USD 150 with effect from Thursday, 29th August 2019,” spokesman to Rauf Aregbesola- Nigeria interior minister, Mohammed Manga said in a statement.

by  Joseph Olaoluwa

The National Union of Air Transport Employees is seeking for negotiation with the management of Arik Air staff following the sack of 300 workers.

Arik Air on Friday relieved 300 employees of their appointments, citing the decision on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on its operations.

The statement titled, “Arik Air management declares 300 staff redundant,” explained that a redundancy package would be provided for the affected members with the help of the aviation unions.

The General Secretary, NUATE, Aba Ocheme, in an interview with our correspondent said the decision was not a bad one if the relieved workers could walk away with huge packages at the planned negotiation scheduled for Monday.

He said, “I understand that when people hear redundancy, it can sound sad but it is not really a sad development from our point of view.

‘What Arik has done is to declare its intention to do a headcount reduction by 300.

“At the first instance, it may be more than that at the end of the day.  It is not a sad situation because instead of workers continuing in the struggle, they may opt for a reasonable pay-off and be happy to leave instead of struggling with every situation at the workplace.”

He added, “Our union has welcomed that declaration. Our intention is to get a fair deal for those who are leaving. The workers themselves have embraced that declaration and their only wish is a fair deal. If we get a fair deal, we have a win-win situation.”

Ocheme said the union had requested that the matter of terminal benefits and Conditions of Service be settled because of its role when appointments are terminated.

He further explained that the strike has been suspended in view of a meeting on Monday.

The Government of Canada has invited another round of 5,000 candidates to apply for its permanent residence.

By Samuel Oyekanmi

The Canadian government after its latest draw, invited another 5,000 candidates to apply for its permanent residence, making it a total of N10,000 invitations issued in the month of November 2020.

The Express Entry cutoff score dipped below 470 for the first time in an all-program draw held this year, which is an indication of the Canadian Government’s willingness to reduce the criteria, so as to accommodate more immigrants into the country.

• In the latest draw Candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 469 in order to be invited in this round.
• A total of 5,000 invitations were sent to Express Entry candidates, which ties this draw for the largest number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in a single draw.

• The new draw brings the total number of ITAs issued in 2020 to 97,350, a new record-breaking year for Express Entry, as the number of ITAs issued to date is the highest it has ever been.
• The large number of invitations is in line with Canada’s commitment to welcome over 400,000 new immigrants in 2021, from which most of them will be through the Express Entry system.

What you should know

• Nairametrics earlier reported that the Canadian government had given Invitation to Apply (ITA) to 5,000 candidates in November, which is the largest invitation ever issued in a single draw.
• Express Entry is Canada’s immigration application management system for three federal economic-class programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.
• Candidates in these programs, as well as some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are given a score based on the CRS. Points are awarded depending on a candidates’ human capital factors such as age, education, work experience, and language ability in English or French.
• The highest-scoring candidates will then receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence, following an Express Entry invitation round like this.
• Meanwhile, the Canadian government extended the mandatory isolation order and temporary travel restrictions for all travellers seeking entry into the country apart from the United States, to January 2021. This is in line with the country’s move to protect its Citizens from the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Decline in Cut-off score

This year, the CRS requirement has typically hovered above 470 for all program draws. However, the latest round of draw has seen the CRS cut-off score decline below 470 for the first time.

This move will encourage candidates with lower CRS score to intensify their efforts in getting better scores, so as to receive invitation in subsequent rounds.

For this round, in case of a tie between candidates, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) applied the tie-breaking rule, so that candidates who have a CRS score of 469 or more, needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before October 15, 2020, at 08:50:10 UTC in order to receive an invitation.

What this means

• The increase in the number of invitations in recent draws shows the Canadian’s government move towards welcoming more immigrants to the country.
• Nigerians will take this news with delight as many seek to travel to Canada in search of greener pasture and better life. Considering that Nigerians have been hit with a number of economic quagmire, ranging from second recession in 5 years to food inflation, ease of doing business, ASUU strike and many more.
• Meanwhile, Immigrants from Nigeria and other countries apart from the US will have to wait till next year before they can be allowed entry into Canada due to the country’s travel restrictions.

•Key players in the dark over $500m Chinese loan •Mezzaine clause may frustrate concession plans

By Shola Adekola | Lagos 

A diplomatic tussle may be brewing between the Federal Government of Nigeria and China over the ongoing plan to concession the most viable four international airports across the country.

The Chinese and Nigerian governments had in 2013 entered into a loan deal of $500 million to build four new airport terminals for four Nigerian airports at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, Malam Aminu Kano International Airport and Port Harcourt International Airport.

The huge financial deal signed during the tenure of Princess Stella Oduah as the Minister of Aviation was for the remodeling of the airports terminals which before then had become so dilapidated that they fell below the standard of being regarded  as international airports for a country of over 200 million people.

Under the agreement, China was expected to offer the loan of $400 million at 2.5 per cent interest rate, while the Nigerian government was to pay a counterpart fee of $100 million for a project scheduled to run between 12 and 18 months then.

Seven year after the deal was signed, while passengers have been enjoying the new terminals at Abuja and Port Harcourt airports, the remodeling of Lagos and Kano airports is yet to be completed.

It is not yet clear to many key players in the sector if the loan has been fully repaid or not, even as controversy has continued to reign over the government’s plan to concession the four airports in question, which key players fear may become another good financial deal gone awry.

Following the latest events that have and are still unfolding with regards to the concession plans, fears are being nursed that any efforts to go ahead with the plan without the full payment of the loan as signed between Nigeria and China, may transfer the management of the four airports to China to enable it recover its money.

Many of the key players who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune alerted the government to an analysis of the way the East African countries which defaulted in the payment of similar loans were treated by the Chinese investors.

According to the head of administration and human resources at 7Star Hangar, an aircraft maintenance firm at the Lagos airport, Mr Ayuba Kyari: “As regards the loans from the Chinese firms, Nigeria should have taken a deep analysis of the way the East African countries were treated by the Chinese investors and secure such loans very well.

“Furthermore, depending on how we secured these loans, especially what was used as guarantee for the loans. If the airports were used, then it would be difficult to concession the airports. But if it was only the projects that were financed by the loans, the investors will not allow such projects to be concessioned.”

The tension over the confused concession further became aggravated with the latest feelers spreading through the sector over the ‘Mezzanine Clause’ synonymous with such deals in all Chinese sponsored infrastructure including the ones in the country’s aviation sector. There are fears that the clause may be evoked if Nigeria fails to fully comply with the terms of the loan.

The Mezzanine clause allows China to take over the financed infrastructure projects should Nigeria or any affected country default in payment. In other words, if Nigeria should default in paying back such loans at the agreed time, China would seize the infrastructure, administer it and recover its investment.

Mezzanine financing is a kind of financing that has both features of debt and equity financing that provides lenders the right to convert its loan into equity in case of a default (only after other senior debts are paid off).

The latest alert raised over the Mezzanine Clause and the insistence of the federal government through the minister of aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to go ahead with the concession plan has elicited criticisms across the sector with many calling for the stoppage of the concession on the premise that such plans may lead to the application of the Mezzanine Clause  by China.

Aside the Mezzanine Clause and with the clear status of the loan shrouded in secrecy, the airport workers led by the aviation unions on the other hand are kicking against the concession plans which they described as anti-Nigerian.

The minister while describing the concession as part of the reforms in the aviation sector and claimed it would rather create more jobs, equally maintained that the concession of the airports would generate higher economic value and open the sector for more investment.

But aviation workers under the aegis of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, (NAAPE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, (ANAP), National Union of Air Transport Employees, (NUATE), and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, (ATSSSAN) say the move is ill-motivated. They have vowed to frustrate the concession plan.

According to the unions: “We totally reject the concession because it is not transparent. If the four viable airports are concessioned, the remaining 18 airports will die because these four airports sustain the other airports. It is a disaster waiting to happen and definitely jobs will be lost. The Lagos airport alone can sustain the 22 airports so why the concession?”.

While the cat and mouse relationship between the minister and the aviation unions continue with the government still refusing to shift ground amidst the obvious flaws, the latest uncertainty of the Mezzanine Clause has further tainted the concession plan as a policy that once again put a question mark on the credibility of the government in terms of respecting agreements.

Investigations have revealed that the status of the $500 million loan is not clear to many across the sector even as it has been revealed that the loan at a point increased due to logistics reasons with key players calling for investigations to unravel the actual position of things.

Suggesting how the loan could be repaid if not yet fully repaid, the Managing Director of Centurion Aviation Security, Group Captain John Ojikutu (retired), said the recovery or the repayment of the $500 million Chinese loan should not be a problem for FAAN if the landing and parking charges and the  passengers service charges (PSC) on the international flights and passengers alone for only two years are tasked.

His words: before the COVID-19, the average passengers traffic on the international route had been between  five million and 2.5 million through where FAAN could have earned $125 million from the $50 per passenger charge. COVID-19  could have dropped the outbound to 1.5 million and the new rate would retain the FAAN earnings on PSC to $150 million in one year or $300 million in two years. Similarly, there are about 40,000 international flights annually; that too could have dropped by 50 per cent to 20,000 in a year or 40,000 in two years. The average charges on landing and parking for each flight is about $5,000 or $200 million. These earnings do not include earnings on all the domestic flights.

“Whatever clause is hanging, except we have decided to prolong the dying day. The loan is $500 million not $500 billion, $50 billion or N5 billion. The loan should or can be offset before the expiration of this administration from the earnings on the international flights and passengers alone. By the way, additional money can and should be obtained from the Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) fund to augment the earnings for the repayment within a year to two years except there are other factors.”

As controversy over the concession plans rages with the minister assuring that workers not required by the probable concessionaire would be allowed to return to FAAN, the government is however silent on the status of the $500 million Chinese loan and the uncertainty over the Mezzanine Clause and its subsequent impact on the concession plan.
https://tribuneonlineng.com/fg...

By Loni Prinsloo

•  Lift is owned by Johannesburg plane lessor Global Airways
•  Oversupply of planes, low oil price cuts startup costs

A new airline is preparing to start flights in South Africa next week, entering the industry at a time when carriers near and far are going bankrupt amid the worst crisis in aviation history.

Lift, owned by Johannesburg-based leasing company Global Airways, will operate three Airbus SE A320 jets and look to tap returning domestic demand after an almost five-month ban on inter-provincial travel to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. The airline is looking to take advantage of plunging startup costs due to an oversupply of idle planes and low oil prices, according to Co-Founder Gidon Novick.

“The opportunity is here now to go into the consumer airline space -- especially given the current environment,” Novick said in a phone interview. “The current cost structures are about 40% lower than what it would have cost to start an airline before the coronavirus.”

While European airlines struggle to stay afloat during the slower winter season and a resurgence of Covid-19 cases, Lift will start flying at the height of the South African summer and just as millions of people travel to holiday resorts and family homes for the festive season. Competition has also thinned slightly with the grounding of South African Airways, which has been in bankruptcy protection for a year.

Lift’s first flight is scheduled for Dec. 10, and the carrier will link Johannesburg with Cape Town and George -- a small coastal town in the middle of the so-called Garden Route, a popular area for holidaymakers.

Slow Revival

South Africa’s domestic aviation industry was laid low by the pandemic, but is now slowly coming back to life. State-owned Mango and closely held FlySafair are back up and running, while Comair Ltd. came out of administration and resumed flights on Dec. 1. The operator of the Kulula brand and the local partner of British Airways secured backing from investors and lenders in September.

“There is an oversupply of aircraft as many have been given back to the lessors or sold,” said Novick, a former Comair co-chief executive officer and founder of tourism investment group Lucid Ventures. “There are a lot of very highly skilled people available at the moment -- this also plays into supply and demand -- and there is the use and availability of maintenance infrastructure.”

At risk to Lift and the more established carriers is the potential for a resurgence in virus infections, and sharp increases have been reported in two coastal provinces. President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a warning about the surge in a speech on Wednesday night, and announced fresh restrictions for a particularly severe hotspot around the town of Port Elizabeth.

“Many think it’s crazy starting an airline in these times,” Novick says on Lift’s website. “We think it’s the best time ever.”

(Updates with founder’s comment in final paragraph)

Amid COVID-19 surge, the vast region of the U.S. state of California will enter a new lockdown on Sunday night.

The new order will close a wide range of businesses and activities, including bars, breweries, distilleries, wineries, hair salons and barbershops, and personal care services.

In addition, a number of sectors in these regions, including restaurants, retail and shopping centres, as well as hotels and lodging, will have additional modifications in addition to 100 percent masking and physical distancing.

Critical infrastructure, schools and non-urgent medical and dental care can remain open with appropriate infectious disease preventative measures under the terms of the new order.

 
Public health officials urged people to stay at home as much as possible and wearing a face mask when out in public.

Local residents are also required to keep gatherings small, short, outdoors and limited to members of one household.

This new lockdown is being imposed because many parts have hit the 15 percent or lower threshold for intensive care unit (ICU) capacity, local health authorities said.

Based on the latest ICU data, the 11-county Southern California region which includes Los Angeles County, and the San Joaquin Valley region in Central California, have dropped below 15 percent ICU capacity.

The California Department of Public Health in a statement noted that the regional stay-at-home order will take effect in those two regions at 11:59 p.m. Sunday local time (0759GMT).

The measure will remain in effect for at least three weeks.

The Southern California region’s ICU capacity has dropped to 12.5 percent as of Saturday, while the available ICU capacity in the San Joaquin Valley region was reported at 8.6 percent on the same day.

The two regions are home to around 33 million people in the most populous state in the United States, representing 84 percent of the state’s population, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The other three regions in California, including the Bay Area, Greater Sacramento Region and Northern California region, are also on the brink of new lockdown with ICU capacity hitting 21.7 percent, 21.4 percent and 24.1 percent, respectively.

In response to the recent rapidly increasing number of new cases and hospitalisations from the virus, California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced plans for the regional stay-at-home order to contain the pandemic..

The order is predicated on hospital capacity, which is designed to be triggered when fewer than 15 percent of beds are available in ICU for a region.

The California Department of Public Health confirmed 25,068 new cases of COVID-19 and 209 new deaths as of Saturday, bringing the state’s total count to 1,311,625 cases and death toll to 19,791.

“California is experiencing the fastest increase in cases we have seen yet — faster than what we experienced at the outset of the pandemic and this summer.

“If COVID-19 continues to spread at this rate, it could quickly overwhelm our health care system and lead to catastrophic outcomes,” health officials warned in a daily release.

BY  Ifeoma Okeke

The Management of Air Peace has announced the arrival of one of its aircraft, a Boeing 737, which has been undergoing C-Check Maintenance in Europe. The aircraft, with registration number 5N-BUO, arrived Lagos on Friday.

In a statement by the management of Air Peace, this is the third aircraft to arrive from Europe after undergoing comprehensive maintenance checks, adding that a good number of its aircraft were flown to different countries for varying levels of maintenance during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have started coming back.

“Just early last month, we received one of our 50-seat capacity Embraer 145 Jets, with registration number 5N-BVD, from maintenance.

“As the Yuletide draws nearer, we promise our teeming customers that more aircraft on maintenance will arrive and we shall increase our frequencies to selected routes while resuming other destinations which we temporarily stopped flying to.

“We also use this medium to apologise to our customers for the flight disruptions they may have experienced. But be assured that the situation is fast improving as these aircraft return from maintenance,” the statement added.