The Democratic Republic of Congo has decided to reopen Bunia airport, the main air hub for Ituri province, the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak currently affecting the country. This decision marks a reversal by the authorities, who had suspended commercial flights last month in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.
The government initially suspended passenger flights to and from Bunia after the first cases were detected in the region. Only humanitarian and medical flights remained authorized, under certain conditions.
In a statement released Monday evening, the Congolese Ministry of Transport declared that conditions were now in place to allow for a "gradual and safe" resumption of air traffic. The reopening took effect immediately.
Authorities have announced stricter health controls. All travelers will have their temperature taken before boarding and upon arrival. Handwashing will be mandatory before boarding, and anyone with a fever will be denied boarding.
This decision comes as some residents denounced the consequences of the airport closure, claiming that it complicated the delivery of essential goods to this region already weakened by the epidemic.
According to official figures, the epidemic has already caused 321 confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease and 48 deaths. The virus has spread to 15 of the 36 health zones in Ituri province, raising fears of a worsening situation.
Congolese authorities and international health organizations are continuing their efforts to contain the epidemic while limiting economic and logistical disruptions. The reopening of Bunia airport illustrates the difficulty of finding a balance between public health imperatives and the daily needs of local populations.
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