NAIROBI, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Airways said Monday it has suspended all international flights effective midnight on Wednesday until further notice as part of efforts to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka said cargo flights will remain operational to offer emergency services and supplies.
"We will continue to operate cargo flights particularly so that we are available to offer emergency services or much-needed supplies. In the meantime, our domestic flights to Mombasa and Kisumu remain operational," Kilavuka said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
The drastic move comes a day after the government resolved to suspend all international flights effective Wednesday as one of the measures of suppressing the spread of the deadly pandemic.
Mutahi Kagwe, health cabinet secretary, said all those coming into the country between Sunday and Wednesday will undergo mandatory quarantine at a government-designated facility at their own expense.
"Countries wishing to evacuate their nationals must make their arrangements to do so within this period. Kenyans who are currently in foreign countries, and will not have come back within the said period, are advised to observe the guidelines issued in the respective countries wherever they are," Kagawe told journalists in Nairobi.
Kilavuka said customers affected by the suspension of flights have been advised that they will be able to change their bookings for later travel or exchange their booking for vouchers for future travel within 12 months.
