By Noel Wandera
The national government is mulling opening up her airspace to international flights after a ban imposed in March to stop the spread of coronavirus disease.
The decision, which follows global trends to open up their economies despite battling the Covid-19 pandemic, is expected to revamp the economy.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health said that the country’s Covid-19 cases had hit 715 after 15 more people tested positive. Fatalities stand at 36.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary, Dr. Rashid Aman, praised frontline and health workers efforts in battling Covid-19, a disease that has adversely affected the country’s socio-economic life leading to the closure of some businesses.
To prepare for opening up of the airspace, Kenya Airports Authority’s managing director, Abel Gogo, said a Zoom meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, May 13, to discuss the possibility of resumption of activities at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
“Preparation of the imminent resumption of passenger operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you are hereby invited to a virtual meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 13 at 1100hrs,” Gogo said.
The meeting will focus on the precautionary public health measures for civil aviation in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, operational readiness, and resumption of activities.
Expected at the meeting are all government agencies, concessionaires, contractors, suppliers, and service providers.
Resuming international flights is the latest indication of the state’s decision to ease strict lockdown measures that began in April when President Uhuru Kenyatta banned movement in and out of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi counties.
Last week, Kenya repatriated citizens who were stranded in China and India.
The decision to open up the airspace comes a day after Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said he was in talks with sector players to open the hospitality industry.
