Kenya’s transport ministry has extended the ban on international flights by 30 days to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The ban was first initiated on Wednesday, March 25th.
“After serious consideration of the situation, the government has extended the ban [on international flights] for another 30 days with effect from tomorrow (Monday) April 6 2020,” Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said on Sunday.
However, Macharia said the evacuation and cargo flights are exempted from the ban.
“However, evacuation flights must give a 72-hour notice,” said CS Macharia.
Kenya Airways, the national carrier also temporarily suspended all international services on March 25. However, the ministry says due to inadequate supplies, they intend to send a KQ plane to China on Wednesday. “This is to basically collect some key medical equipment which will come to help us in the intervention which we have right now,” Macharia said.
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The Transport Ministry further emphasised that Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators need to adhere to all directives or risk being banned in line with the Public Health Act.
“Any matatu operator found not observing government directives will have their sacco licence suspended and their vehicle impounded. Boda boda flouting the same directives will have their motorcycles impounded,” he warned.
“We have observed that the set directives are not being strictly followed, for example, most matatus are still overloading, hence not observing social distancing. They are also not observing standards of hygiene as per the set guidelines,” he said.
