The Somali cabinet has approved the resumption of domestic flights which were suspended from April due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said on Friday.
Ismael Mukhtar Omar, the government spokesman confirmed the move, saying domestic flights that were suspended in mid-April will now resume on Sunday with strict health guidelines.
“The Cabinet has approved the reopening of domestic aviation services following COVID-19,” Omar said.
Mahdi Gulaid, Somali Deputy Prime Minister said in allowing the resumption of the flights, the cabinet took into consideration measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 disease.
Gulaid said the cabinet noted that it was important that the Ministry of Health directives are followed when the ban on the local flights is lifted.
“I chaired the Cabinet Meeting today (Thursday) and agreed to carefully restart domestic flights on Sunday, July 5, 2020, in compliance with the COVID-19 spreadsheet recommendations,” said Gulaid.
Somalia’s Ministry of Transport and Aviation said last month it reached an agreement with aviation companies to resume local flights with strict guidelines from the health ministry.
Mohamed Omar, Somali Minister for Transport and Aviation said the Ministry of Health will offer personal protective equipment and other medical supplies to help curb the spread of respiratory disease.
The Horn of Africa nation has so far confirmed 2,938 COVID-19 cases, 952 recoveries and 90 deaths as of Thursday.
The cases are surging at a time Somalia is struggling to contain floods that have affected nearly a million people and desert locusts that are devouring crops and pasture in Somaliland, Puntland and Galmudug, creating a triple threat
