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Kenya’s High Court on Friday ordered flights from China to be temporarily suspended over the coronavirus outbreak, following a petition by the Law Society of Kenya.
“I find that unless conservatory orders sought are granted Kenyans will continue to be exposed to the deadly disease coronavirus,” Judge James Makau said.
The High Court’s ruling came after Kenya announced the resumption of flights with China, where the coronavirus originated.
China Southern Airlines flights on the Guangzhou-Changsha-Nairobi route had been suspended since 11 February but that suspension was lifted on Wednesday when 239 passengers arrived in Kenya.
The global death toll from COVID-19 is around 2,800, and China, where the outbreak originated, is the worst hit, with more than 78,000 cases and over 2,700 fatalities.
On Thursday, as many as 239 Chinese nationals landed in Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Kenyans raised concern on social media, questioning the country’s preparedness to deal with the novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, at a time when many African countries have ceased operating China flights.
The Law Society of Kenya then filed a case asking the court to suspend flights again.
The court found in favour of the law society.
Judge James Makau suspended the flights, directing the government to ensure that all 239 Chinese nationals are quarantined at a military facility.
The court also directed the government to present a clear plan on surveillance, response and prevention systems in case of the coronavirus outbreak.
Justice James Makau suspended the flights for 10 days and ordered the state to prepare a “contingency plan on the prevention, surveillance and response to coronavirus”.
The plan is to be presented in court for scrutiny.
Kenya has had no confirmed cases of the disease.
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