Kenya: National air carrier Kenya Airways resumes international flights from August 1 /update 29

Event

On Saturday, August 1, national air carrier Kenya Airways announced that it will resume international commercial flights with immediate effect following its suspension amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The first international flights will be to London, Dubai, Addis Ababa, Kigali, and Lusaka. Dar es Salaam was initially announced as a destination, however, Tanzanian authorities reportedly canceled these plans because Kenya excluded Tanzanians in the list of nationals allowed to enter its territory. Domestic flights were resumed on July 15.

On Monday, July 27, the government extended the current curfew in place between 21:00 and 04:00 (local time), for an additional 30 days. Public gatherings will also be banned during this time. Face masks or coverings must always be worn in public, and a distance of 1 m (3 ft) is required to be maintained from others. Businesses have been ordered to provide soap and water, or an alcohol-based sanitizer, at building entryways. Those found in breach of the above measures could face a Sh 20,000 (186 USD) fine or six months of incarceration. A gradual reopening of schools is planned to take place from September 1.

As of August 1, Kenya has recorded 20,636 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 341 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease. 

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