Kenya Airways (KQ) will resume flights to and from South Sudan’s Juba Airport next week following the easing of international travel restrictions.
This came after Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the resumption of international flights from August 1 to save the country’s dwindling economy, despite the growing number of COVID-19 infections.
Chol Ajongo Mawut, South Sudan’s Ambassador to Kenya, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the airline will fly twice weekly as it continues to review the option of increasing frequencies.
"I have received a letter from Kenya Airways saying that they will resume flights to South Sudan. Kenya will open its airspace from August 1. So KQ is scheduled to resume its flights to Juba after August 1," Ambassador Mawut said.
Passengers are cautioned to adhere to strict health and safety protocols that have been put at airports and on-board flights, he added.
"Travellers will have to produce a COVID-19-free certificate before they are allowed to board a plane," he explained.
Chol said passengers will be asked to adhere to the guidelines set by the two countries. "As a South Sudanese citizen, nobody can block you from going back to your country, but you have to adhere to the health guidelines," he said.
Separately, Ambassador Chol Ajongo urged all South Sudanese who are in Kenya to follow the health instructions issued by authorities.
He called on young people to avoid crowded areas – such as clubs, public transport, and supermarkets – to prevent contracting coronavirus. "You need to respect the law of this country as a foreigner. The president of this country is telling people to respect the guidelines, so our youth people who are here should avoid crowded areas," he said.