The Democratic Republic of Congo has reopened its airspace after nearly five months as the government continues its efforts to revive the economy.

After reporting the country's first COVID-19 cases on March 10, the DR Congo government imposed various restrictions in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.

The suspension of non-essential international flights was among the country's measures aimed at preventing the importation of the virus from outside its borders.

After the months-long suspension, DR Congo aviation and health officials received the first commercial passenger flight on Saturday.

The arriving passengers were taken through health protocols, including temperature checks and hand washing, before being allowed into the country.

"It takes a little longer, but that's the price to pay for a trip without risk of contamination," AfricaNews quotes Aristotle Kabengele, a passenger at N'Djili International Airport.

By Monday, the DR Congo had reported 9,706 COVID-19 infections and 243 deaths, according to figures from the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.