The Kenyan flag carrier Kenya Airways is finalizing the protocol for new domestic flights that could already leave in a week, if they will be accepted by the Ministry of Transport as proposed last Saturday by President Uhuru Kenyatta who called a meeting with all key players who are called for the reopening of the national skies.
The important news is that you can also fly from Mombasa and Nairobi airports if you have a Covid-19 Free certificate to other national destinations such as Malindi, Diani, Lamu, Kisumu and possibly other minor destinations. As long as the Counties of the two most important air destinations of the country are in lockdown, the certificate to travel outside will be fundamental but, as the Minister of Transport James Macharia mentioned earlier, the "Covid-19 Free" document will become fundamental for anyone who wants to travel and especially for tourists who want to come to Kenya, when the international borders will be reopened.
These are some of the points of the protocol, as published yesterday by some national media: first of all it will be necessary to go to the airport at least two hours before wearing the official mask, undergo a meticulous check-in process during which passengers will have to wait in line, respecting the markings on the ground indicating the social distance, waiting for their temperatures to be checked with digital thermometers. The baggage areas will also be inspected at intervals.
At the check-in counters, airline staff will be required to disinfect after serving each customer. The counters have been equipped with antimicrobial screens to minimize viral transfers between guests and staff. The same will be provided at immigration and security counters. Aircraft will be boarded strictly by zones and not by priority.
In the boarding areas, seats will be arranged in such a way as to maintain social distance, with disinfectants available to guests. The boarding gates will be cleaned and disinfected at regular intervals, in line with public health measures issued by the Ministry of Health.
During the flight, all KQ staff will leave their uniforms and will have to wear personal protective equipment, while guests will have to wear masks for the duration of the flight.
Boxes for meals, packages, cutlery, pastries, cakes and refreshing towels will all be individually packed, with the introduction of individual packaging of towels/linen, which will now be used once and disposed of. Before the pandemic, blankets and pillows were used on several occasions.
After each flight, Kenya Airways will provide deep cleaning and disinfection of the aircraft, with an indication of longer delivery times and an additional cost to the airline. On board, there will also be regular cleaning and disinfection of the aircraft.
It is the intention of both the Government and the airline itself, as Kenya Airways CEO Alan Kilawuka said last week, to resume local routes as soon as possible and then prepare for a return to international flights when the time comes.