Covid19: Ministry of Health reviews travel restrictions into Kenya

The Ministry of Health has issued new guidelines for travel into the country.

In a letter by Health CS Susan Nakhumicha addressed to Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Alfred Mutua, the review is based on guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the public health considerations while resuming international travel.

"Currently, all passengers above the age of 12 years arriving into the country are required to be in possession of proof of Covid-19 vaccination certificate. Those without a vaccination certificate for valid reasons are required to be in possession of a negative PCR-based Covid-19 test results conducted at least 72 hours before commencement of travel," said Nakhumicha.

According to Nakhumicha, there has been a drastic decline in the number of Covid-19 cases.

Over the last three months Kenya like most other jurisdictions has witnessed a decline in the number of Covid-19 cases and a drop in the overall positivity rate from a weekly average of 2.5% in mid-January 2023 to a weekly average of 0.5% as at the week ending 30 April 2023. The risk of transmission of the disease therefore remains relatively low," said Nakhumicha.

Following the de-escalation of containment measures and analysis of the pandemic, the Ministry of Health has recommended a revision of containment measures.

This involves lifting of the requirement to provide proof of vaccination or PCR testing for travelers into the country.

The guidelines are as follows;

All travelers arriving into the country through any point of entry shall no longer be required to show proof of either Covid-19 vaccination; or a pre-departure Covid-19 test.

Only travelers arriving at any port of entry into Kenya with flu-like symptoms will be expected to fill the passenger locator form on the 'Jitenge' platform. They will also be required to take a Covid-19 antigen test upon arrival at their own cist. Those who turn positive for Antigen testing will be required to take a further Covid-19 PCR test at their own cost. Those with severe symptoms shall thereafter be allowed to isolate as per the prevailing isolation requirements for mild, moderate and severe disease.

Truck drivers entering the country shall no longer be required to have proof of Covid-19 PCR test of Covid-19 vaccination at the points of entry.

Persons traveling out of the country will be required to abide by the particular travel, health and Covid-19 related requirements of the destination country.

Pre-departure RDT or PCR testing may be considered at the discretion of any of the airlines departing from or terminating in Kenya.

The measures take effect immediately.

"By copy of this letter, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority is direted to amend the latest NOTAM to reflect the above measures." Said Nakhumicha.