The Federal Government of Somalia is considering a move to suspend flights from coronavirus affected countries in a bid to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
Somalia’s Civil Aviation’s Director, Ahmed Maalim said passenger flights from regional countries like Kenya and Ethiopia are on the top list for the interruption.
Maalim added that aviation and immigration departments will conduct an emergency meeting on the matter and will not take any chance on the public health care.
An Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa was last week delayed behind schedule following suspected COVID-19 case with a Somali citizen who originated from China via Addis Ababa.
According to the Ministry of Health, there is no coronavirus case in the country but four people who transited via Aden Abdulle International Airport were quarantined as a precaution as a final test on their status is determined.
The country is on high alert following newly reported cases in Kenya on Sunday. President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered Suspension of entry into the country by people from all countries affected by the Covid-19 disease for 30 days.
This will take effect in the next 48 hours. He said that only Kenyan citizens and foreigners with permits will be allowed into the country provided they quarantine.
Ordered the self-quarantine of all people who have entered Kenya over the last 14 days. Primary and secondary day schools will suspend operations from Monday with boarding schools doing the same by Wednesday. Universities and tertiary institutions will be closed by Friday.
