Senegal reopens commercial air traffic after drop in coronavirus cases

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) -The Senegalese government said Friday it lifted restrictions on travelers to the country after reopening air borders to passengers with proof of a negative coronavirus test.

Airlines, whose operating programs have been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Senegal or have specific authorization, can embark and disembark passengers who possess a negative PCR test taken less than five days before travel, Tourism and Air Transport Minister Alioune Sarr said in a statement.

Due to the pandemic, Senegal closed air borders to passengers from several countries.

The West African country saw a sharp increase in infections and deaths between July and August but has since experienced a drastic drop in cases since mid-September.

Since the outbreak in March 2020, Senegal has recorded 73,825 positive cases, including 1,864 deaths.

More than 1.2 million people have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, according to official data.