CS Kagwe Suspends Flights to India

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addressing the media on November 26, 2020
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addressing the media on November 26, 2020
File

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced that the government has suspended flights to and from India for 14 days following a spike in Covid-19 infections in the country. 

In a press briefing, Kagwe issued 72 hours to Kenyans who are travelling from India to do so.

The passengers are required to get tested and if they turn out positive for Covid-19 go on quarantine for two weeks on arrival in the Country.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addressing the media on November 26, 2020
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addressing the media on November 26, 2020
File

Speaking from Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi, Taita Taveta County, Kagwe stated that cargo flights would be exempted from the directive.

He noted that the flights would be in adherence to the Coronavirus containment measurers.

Kagwe asked Kenyans seeking treatment in India to seek other alternatives following the surge in Covid-19 numbers in recent weeks.

On Wednesday, April 28, India reported 360,960 new cases in 24 hours, taking India's tally of infections to nearly 18 million. 3,293 fatalities were also reported in the same period of time carrying the toll to 201,187.

The country is also experiencing shortages of oxygen, medical supplies and hospital staff.

This comes moments after a section of Kenyans protested over a passenger plane from India that was expected to land in the country on Friday evening, April 30.

The plane is expected to depart Mumbai at 1:00pm and arrive in Nairobi at 4:45pm. Kenyans have expressed concern due to the deadly Indian strain of the Covid-19 that has seen the Asian country become the most ravaged by the coronavirus. 

Already, Germany, Italy, Bangladesh, France, UK, Oman, UAE, Hong Kong and Singapore have banned or placed restrictions on travelers from India as well as those who have passed by the country.

In a recent interview, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe hinted that the government would review passenger flights between Kenya and India, but did not make a definite commitment. 

The CS stated that the National Emergency Response Committee (NERC) held a meeting and were set to announce the measures which would be taken.

An aeroplane mid-air
An aeroplane mid-air
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