Govt Announces Resumption of Air Travel, Lists Strict Demands for PSVs

President Uhuru Kenyatta boarding a plane
President Uhuru Kenyatta boarding a plane
Twitter

President Uhuru Kenyatta, on Monday, July 6, announced of the resumption of air travel as he put an end to the cessation of movement in and out of Nairobi, Mombasa and Mandera counties. 

In his address, the president noted that both local and international air travel would resume from July 15, and August 1, 2020, respectively. 

The head of state announced that international flights would resume on August 1, 2020, while local flights would take off on July 15.

"Local air travel within the territory of the Republic of Kenya will resume effective Wednesday, July 15, 2020 and in strict conformity with all guidelines. International Air travel into and out of the territory of Kenya shall resume on August 1, 2020," stated Uhuru.

President Uhuru Kenyatta delivering his speech on July 6, 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta delivering his speech on July 6, 2020.
PSCU

The president further outlined strict restrictions for PSV services even as he stated operators were free to transport passengers and goods across the country.

He noted that vehicles that would be caught flouting the directives would not be allowed into and out of areas previously placed under lockdown including Nairobi and Mombasa.

"Conscience that movement of people is in itself a catalyst for the spread of the disease. There shall be no movement of public service vehicles into and out of areas previously under the cessation of movement restrictions without public transport providers being compliant with all protocols provided by the ministry of health

"The operators will require mandatory certification from Ministry of Health in consultation with the ministry of transport," stated Uhuru.

The end of flight grounding comes after Cabinet Secretaries to the Ministry of Transport and Tourism James Macharia and Najib Balala had toured the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Moi International Airport (MIA) in Mombasa.

They found that the facilities were ready for use since they had put in place measures to ensure hygiene and social distance was maintained.

The duo had also taken a tour of the Eldoret Airport.

All flights had been grounded in March after the country recorded its first positive case.

Watch President Uhuru's address below:

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