This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
Kenya's Reopening from Corona Lockdown to Boost Economy ¶
President Uhuru Kenyatta's phased reopening of Kenya from a Covid-19 lockdown is expected to benefit various sectors, including bus operators, airlines, hotels, and cross-border traders.
On July 6, President Kenyatta announced that the country had reached a reasonable level of preparedness for a partial loosening of restrictions, but urged caution and warned of a return to lockdown if coronavirus cases escalate.
Domestic commercial and passenger flights are set to restart on July 15, while international travel will resume from August 1, offering a boost to Kenya Airways, which had lost an estimated Sh10.6 billion in revenues at the end of June.
Bars will also reopen, but only operate take-away services, while long-distance transport firms like Easycoach, Guardian, and Coast Bus will start preparations for resumption of operations, having grounded their fleet on April 6.
The bus firms will operate under strict health directives, including leaving some seats empty, ensuring both passengers and crew members wear face masks, and screening of travellers.
Easycoach Managing Director Azym Dossa said the move is timely for the long-distance service provider, adding that his firm had lost Sh300 million since March.
Resumption of flights, the SGR passenger train service, and long-distance bus travel is set to boost Kenya's tourism sector, which has lost Sh80 billion so far in revenue, about half of last year's total, due to the coronavirus crisis.
“During this period, we carry, just going to the Mara, about 10,000 passengers per month,” Alex Avedi, Safarilink Aviation's CEO, told Reuters recently.
“As you can see all the aircraft are parked, there is no one going to see this magnificent spectacle.”
The ease of movement restrictions will offer relief to intra-county traders who had been dealt a blow given the economic dominance of Nairobi and Mombasa.
President Kenyatta said the government and all citizens must pull together to revive the economy and reopen businesses.
The ministry of education will today announce re-opening dates for schools that have remained closed since March.
