Kenya drops COVID-19 restrictions

By , K24 Digital
On Tue, 9 May, 2023 21:24 | < 1 min read
Covid-19 jab
PHOTO/Courtesy

Kenya will no longer ask for a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test for foreigners entering the country.

In a letter to Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha said that the rate of transmission had gone down, prompting the country to drop strict restrictions.

"The risk of transmission of the disease, therefore, remains relatively low. In view of the above, and in keeping with guidance from World Health Organization, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with regard to de-escalation of containment measures, and the insights from analysis and monitoring of the pandemic in Kenya, the Ministry of Health has recommended a revision of containment measures including the lifting of the requirement to provide proof of vaccination or PCR testing for travellers into the country," reads the letter.

In the new directives, only travellers arriving at any port of entry into Kenya with flu-like symptoms will be expected to fill out the passenger locator form.

"They will also be required to take a COVID-I9 antigen test upon arrival at their own cost. Those who turn positive for Antigen testing will be required to take a further COVID-19 PCR test at their own cost," the letter added.

"Those with severe symptoms shall thereafter be allowed isolate as per the prevailing isolation requirements for mild, moderate and severe disease."

COVID-19 guard for truck drivers

The guard has also been lowered for truck drivers entering the country.

However, travellers leaving Kenya will have to abide by COVID-19 guidelines of their destination countries.