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KQ resumes flights to Burundi after it reopened its skies

The country opened its airspace on November 8, almost eight months after it was closed to curb Covid-19

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by ELIUD KIBII

News10 November 2020 - 18:00
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In Summary


  • • Government spokesperson Prosper Ntahorwamiye says all passengers will be screened and quarantined for 72 hours at government-identified hotels upon arrival.
  • • Those who will test negative will be allowed to proceed with their visit while those who test positive will be admitted in hospital at their own cost.
Burundi’s economic capital, Bujumbura, in which the Melchior Ndadaye International Airport is found

Kenya Airways has resumed international flights to Burundi a day after the country reopened its skies.

Flight KQ 460 landed at Melchior Ndadaye Airport, Bujumbura, on Monday.

Burundi on Sunday reopened the country’s international airport, almost eight months after it was closed to curb the spread of coronavirus.

It closed its airspace in March.

In a statement by government spokesperson Prosper Ntahorwamiye, all passengers will be screened and quarantined for 72 hours at government-identified hotels upon arrival.

“Any passenger leaving or entering the nation through the airport will have to produce a negative result certificate of the Covid-19 test done 72 hours before their travel,” Ntahorwamiye said.

He said those who will test negative will be allowed to proceed with their visit while those who test positive will be admitted in hospital at their own cost.

On October 26, the government announced that foreigners would pay $100 for screening tests while nationals would pay $30.

Tests for departures will be free of charge but travellers will pay $4 for the certificate.

Country’s Ambassador to Kenya Jean Barege welcomed the resumption of KQ flights and welcomed Kenyans to “the beating heart of Africa.

Ambassador Barege said Burundians are relieved, as they couldn’t travel abroad for eight months, which is a long time.

“This was exciting news for business people and persons who travel regularly,” Barege told the Star.

In his address during this year’s virtual address by various Heads of State at the United Nations General Assembly, Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye said the country is now “stable, calm and entirely safe”.

According to Worldometers, Burundi so far has recorded 614 cases and one death.

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