Burundi to Reopen Melchior Ndadaye Airport

The Burundi government has announced recently that it will reopen the Melchior Ndadaye International Airport on Sunday, November 8.
Burundi had earlier closed its airspace in March this year following the outbreak of the coronavirus worldwide.

A statement by government spokesman Prosper Ntahorwamiye stated that strict measures will be put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Part of the Statement reads “Travelers entering or leaving the Burundian territory must provide proof of testing negative for Covid-19.”

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They will also be required to have taken the tests 72 hours before boarding the plane, and travelers will meet the cost of the screening tests and quarantine.

On October 26, the government announced that foreigners will pay $100 for screening tests while nationals will pay $30. Burundian authorities also say that tests for departures will be free of charge for its citizens, but travelers will pay $4 for the certificate.

The government also launched a mass testing campaign for Covid-19 in July after President Evariste Ndayishimiye took over office in June.
Burundian authorities have at least tested 49,642 people, recorded a total of 589 positive cases, 511 recoveries, and a death.

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Under late President Pierre Nkurunziza, the government was heavily criticised for lack of strict measures to curtail the spread of the virus, including social distancing, and ordering a lock down like other countries.

Burundi is among the countries that did not impose a total lock down or social distancing regulations as schools, churches and social gatherings went on as usual despite the infections in the country.