Burundi government on Tuesday said that it has decided to reopen the country’s international airport on Sunday, Nov. 8, almost eight months after it was closed as a measure to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, reported CGTN Africa.
Prosper Ntahorwamiye, the government spokesman, said on state broadcaster Burundi National Radio and Television that Melchior Ndadaye International Airport will be reopened under strict observance of COVID-19 prevention measures. Travelers entering the country or going outside will have to show a negative COVID-19 test result conducted 72 hours before taking the flight.
“Incoming and outgoing travelers will have to show a negative result of the test to COVID-19 done 72 hours before their embarkation,” said Ntahorwamiye.
Notably, all passengers will be screened and quarantined for 72 hours in chosen hotels upon arrival at the Burundi airport. The passengers will have to bear the testing as well as the hotel fees.
Ntahorwamiye said if a positive case is detected in a car or a plane, passengers will have to undergo a second test and wait for the results. He said passengers who will test COVID-19 negative will be allowed to proceed with their trip while those who test positive will be admitted in hospital at their own cost.
The minister said land and marine borders would be reopened in a phased manner depending on the setting up of sanitary infrastructure.
Burundi has reported 597 confirmed coronavirus cases so far including 1 death. 511 people have recovered from the virus in the country.
On Monday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the total number of recoveries from the novel coronavirus in Africa has surpassed 1.46 million.
The total number of cases on the continent has topped 1.79 million, while the death toll rose to 43,176, it said.
Southern Africa is the worst-hit region with 807,783 cases and 20,884 deaths. North Africa recorded 519,444 cases, East Africa 215,876, West Africa 190,680, while Central Africa registered 60,724 virus cases.
