Kenyan court orders suspension of China flights

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - A Kenyan court on Friday ordered authorities to suspend all flights to and from China amid coronavirus fears.

The High Court’s ruling came after Kenya announced the resumption of flights with China, where the coronavirus originated.

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.

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.