This archive report was first published on 10 May 2020.
On May 14, Tanzania will ease restrictions on international flights, allowing airlines to secure permits in under two hours for repatriation flights and other related operations.
The relaxation of restrictions comes after the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) suspended scheduled and non-scheduled international passenger flights into and out of the country on April 11 to curb imported cases of Covid-19.
"We have been receiving a number of applications for repatriation flights, which is why the government has decided to relax some restrictions," said TCAA Director General Mr. Hamza Johari.
Before the relaxation of restrictions, it could take up to two weeks for an airline to get a permit for repatriation flights and other related operations.
Only cargo flights were allowed into Tanzania, with crew members required to quarantine at designated places by the government at their own cost.
Under the new rules, empty flights will be authorized for the repatriation of people, with the condition that the crew does not disembark.
"In case a complete routing flight duration requires crew change, it is advised to deploy two sets of crew to work in rotation to minimize chances of being subjected to a mandatory quarantine," Mr. Johari said.
