Flights into and out of Malawi will resume on September 1, 2020, faceofmalawi can reveal.
Acting Director for the Department of Civil Aviation James Chakwera confirmed of the development in a statement released on Thursday made available to this publication.
According to Chakwera, while noting the continuance of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has carefully considered the adverse effects of the suspension of air travel on all the sectors of the economy and has therefore decided to lift the suspension with effect from 1st September 2020.
“Various health protocols will have to be observed in a bid to control the spread of the virus, initially only a limited number of flights shall be allowed to operate and those operations shall be restricted to Kamuzu International Airport only until further notice,” he said.
The following measures have been put in place;
1. All passengers arriving in Malawi are required to have a negative SARS Cov-2 PCR Test certificate obtained within 10 days prior to arrival in Malawi. Failure to produce the certificate entry will be denied.
2. All new arrivals will proceed on a self-quarantine for 14 days.
3. All travellers going out of Malawi shall be required to hold negative SARS Cov-2 PCR Test certificate.
4. Arriving passengers will be required to provide samples for Covid 19 testing. Results will be communicated within 48 hours.
5. Any symptomatic passengers will be handled according to health protocols.
6. All travellers and service providers shall observe infection control protocols such as social distancing, hand washing/sanitising and wearing of masks, as necessary. Body temperature will be checked at various strategic points.
7. All arriving passengers shall fill and submit Travel Surveillance Forms available on board or the terminal building. These will be handed to designated health personnel.
8. All masks and/or gloves used shall be disposed of in designated waste collection containers.
9. Only travellers will be allowed in terminal buildings. All others should remain at car parks.
10. Suspected Covid 19 cases can be reported in Malawi on mobile numbers – TNM- 929, AIRTEL- 54747
