The Kenyan government has allowed travellers from the US to enter the country in a review of its initial list of 11 countries allowed to fly into Kenya following three months of international flights suspension.
On Thursday, Transport CS James Macharia indicated that Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia, Morocco, Ethiopia Canada, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, China and Zimbabwe ha been allowed to fly into Kenya.
Macharia said that the rate of COVID-19 infection in these countries were mild, therefore, safe for them to be allowed into Kenya.
A further review of countries allowed to fly into Kenya saw the US allowed to fly into the country. However, travellers from California, Florida and Texas will not be allowed.
In the second review, the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Italy were given the green light to fly into Kenya.
All passengers entering Kenya must have tested negative 96 hours before boarding the flight. They must produce a PCR-based Covid-19 certificate to further ascertain their status.
Only through this, will they be allowed to continue with their travel in Kenya without being subjected to the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
“Let it be clear that those who will have a certificate of tests done before the stipulated 96 hrs will not be allowed to board in the first place. On arrival the passengers’ temperature should not exceed 37.5 degrees and not display any Covid-19 related signs,” Macharia said.
The Health Ministry has said that it will undertake a review of countries who citizens will not be required to undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Kenya on “a day to day basis.”
Meanwhile, the first flight to London is scheduled to take off from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Saturday following the resumption of international flights.
Among those in the inaugural flight is KQ Board Chairman Michael Joseph.
He said that: “This inaugural flight to London is the most important and most emotional. This has been a tremendously difficult time for staff.”
He was accompanied by Susie Kitchens, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya. She said that this is a sign of solidarity between Kenya and the UK.
“We are in solidarity with you … we are back in action… we were delighted flowers and vegetables kept being brought in,” she said according to the Star.
