Kenya Airways on Tuesday confirmed that a passenger who travelled from Guangzhou to Nairobi on January 28, 2020, has been quarantined at the Kenyatta National Hospital as a precautionary measure.
Through a statement to newsrooms, KQ stated that the decision was arrived at by the Kenya Government Port Health Authorities although the passenger had been cleared to travel from China.
"Decision to quarantine the passenger was reached by the Kenya Government port health authorities stationed at JKIA.
“The Kenyan passenger had been cleared to travel by the China Port health authorities at the Guangzhou Airport.
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“The procedure at the airport of departure is that all passengers are required to undergo quarantine screening by the health authorities before being cleared to board any aircraft,” read the statement in part.
Further adding: “Upon being cleared, our staff notifies the Kenya Government Port health authorities who then take precautionary measures including further screening on arrival.
“On board, our crew, guided by the ICAO protocols, take further precautionary measures which include isolating the passenger for the entire trip.
“We would like to reiterate that the safety and security of our passengers remains our highest priority.”
On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau advised Kenyans against travelling to China unless it is extremely necessary.
The virus has so far claimed 81 lives and PS Macharia stated that those who must travel should comply with additional screening measures.
“Kenyans are urged to avoid non-essential travel to Wuhan until the situation there is contained. Those on essential travels must comply with additional screening measures that have been put in place by authorities,” he said.
The Embassy in China had also issued an alert to registered Kenyans residing in Wuhan (85), urging those who are unregistered to come forth and give their details for accountability purposes.
