An Algerian parliamentarian claimed that Algeria had recently acquired American equipment and reagents to perform Covid-19 tests. This is the immigration deputy Noreddine Belmeddah for whom this news augurs the resumption of flights.
Is Algeria preparing for the reopening of its borders and the resumption of air links? For MP Noreddine Belmeddah, this option is plausible. He reported on Wednesday November 18 on his Facebook page that Algeria had imported equipment from the United States to perform Covid-19 tests. According to him, Algeria has also acquired the reagents necessary to carry out these tests.
For Norddine Belmeddah, these acquisitions are signs of an imminent reopening of borders and the re-establishment of air and sea links. As a reminder, Algerian borders have been closed since last March because of the health crisis linked to the coronavirus. This situation has also severely impacted the national airline company, Air Algérie, which has a huge financial deficit.
“A bit of hope”
The management of this company is also considering reducing the salaries of its staff to afford a breath of fresh air in the face of the financial asphyxiation it faces. A proposal, however, far from eliciting the approval of its social partners.
In another register, the closing of the borders and the suspension of the flights made that hundreds of Algerians found themselves stranded in various foreign countries. The government initiated several repatriation operations which proved, however, insufficient to evacuate everyone. Nationals still stuck abroad are increasing the calls for their repatriation.
