This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
On March 24, 2020, a Kenya Airways plane took off from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. The airline industry had been grounded following the outbreak of the disease.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has taken steps to fully reopen the economy by allowing movement of people into and out of three counties previously restricted. This move is expected to breathe life into the business of ferrying people into and out of Nairobi, the country's capital city and commercial hub.
Simon Kimutai, chairman of the Matatu Owners Association (MOA), expressed concerns about the government's decision to require certification for public transport operators. He argued that testing for Covid-19 would not guarantee that individuals would not contract the disease.
Kimutai suggested that the government should have provided operators with equipment such as sanitizers and temperature guns to promote behavioral change and prevent the spread of the disease.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), revenues for public service vehicles had dwindled by 60% due to the pandemic. The government's decision to lift restrictions is expected to revive the transport sector and boost economic activities.
As part of the reopening plan, President Kenyatta has also given hotels and restaurants the green light to resume operations, subject to strict health and safety measures.
Domestic and international flights are expected to resume operations on July 15 and August 1, respectively. The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) services from Nairobi to Mombasa will also resume, providing a much-needed boost to the transport sector.
The resumption of flights is expected to be a major reprieve for thousands of workers in the airline and air travel industries, many of whom have been fired or furloughed due to the pandemic.
