The Ministry of Health on Wednesday, April 28 announced new restrictions on international travel meant to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced the suspension of all passenger flights from India for a period of 14 days. All passengers from India will be required to undergo Covid-19 testing and quarantine for 14 days at their own cost.
The move follows a serious spike in Covid-19 cases in India, which is currently reporting over 300,000 new infections a day, up from under 50,000 a day in February. As of Tuesday, April 7, the country had over 18 million positive cases.
There have been 14 million recoveries, and over 201,000 deaths. The surge has left India’s health system stretched even as the PM Narendra Modi-led government races to curb the situation, which has seen several countries introduce flight bans on India.
Nations including Kuwait, France, Germany, Maldives, Italy, UAE, USA, Iran and UK have all restricted entry for travelers from India.
Indians have been registering online for a mass vaccination drive lined up to begin in May.
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At the same time, however, shortage of hospital beds and oxygen in various facilities has bogged down efforts to respond to the deadly second wave.
National carrier Kenya Airways had earlier announced that it would continue flying to India despite the major spike in Covid-19 cases.
The carrier cited the importance of the route in delivering medical equipment and drugs to Kenya among other destinations.
KQ asserted that it had put in place enhanced measures to ensure reduced passenger-to-passenger transmission.
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