South Sudan halts flights to countries affected by coronavirus

South Sudan has suspended all flights to countries affected by the novel coronavirus, the country’s Health ministry said on Friday.

The move is part of preparations to enhance measures aimed at preventing the virus from entering the country.

“The government has decided to take some measures to protect us from this disease coming into the country. This includes suspension of direct flights between South Sudan and those countries that have local infection and transmission like Egypt and United Arab Emirates. So from Friday midnight, the Egypt Air flight to South Sudan and Flydubai to South Sudan will be temporarily suspended until further notice,” explained Makur Koryom, the undersecretary of the Health ministry.

He added, “This order or advice will continue to be reviewed. In a couple of weeks, we will be updating ourselves on the work and the next course of action depending on the situation in those countries”.

The Health ministry has also advised the Foreign Affairs ministry to impose visa restrictions on countries with coronavirus cases.

Such restrictions, according to the Health ministry, may include directing South Sudanese embassies in countries affected not to issue new entry visas, revoke visas or deny admission at ports of entry.

“On the movement of people from affected countries, we are placing visa restrictions and that is the advice we gave to the ministry of Foreign Affairs for countries in the region, Europe, and it will apply to Egypt, countries in Gulf and any other country that has established community infection and transmission,” said Koryom.

On Friday, Kenya announced the suspension of all travel outside the country unless necessary.