NAIROBI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China Southern Airlines on Wednesday resumed flights to Nairobi, Kenya, after a two-week hiatus over the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease.
"China Southern Airlines resumed its flights to Nairobi today. All 239 passengers were screened onboard, cleared and advised to self-quarantine for the next 14 days," Kenya's Health Ministry said in a statement.
The airline on Feb. 11 suspended its flights on the Guangzhou-Changsha-Nairobi route, citing the need to combat the disease following the outbreak.
"The flight arrived in Nairobi this morning on Feb. 26. There were 239 passengers on board. This is the first flight after the airline resumed the flights to Nairobi," the airline confirmed.
The airline has taken precautions to ensure that the passengers were safe for travel.
Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the passengers underwent scrutiny before being allowed to leave the plane and the airport.
Kenya is on high alert to the spread of the new virus and has so far had 13 suspected cases, but all of them have turned out negative.
China Southern Airlines has operated four weekly direct flights from Guangzhou to Nairobi since June, 2019. But Kenya Airways has canceled its flights, and has yet to resume.
