Latest News: Ban on passenger flights between London, Nairobi extended until 5 June (Business Daily, 25.05.2021). Kenya, Somalia: suspension of flights to, from countries for three months (OSAC, 12.05.2021). Kenyan authorities ban all flights to, from Somalia; reason not disclosed (Standard Media, 11.05.2021). Kenya lifts COVID-19 lockdown allowing for a reopening of bars, restaurants, religious services, schools and domestic flights (Reuters, 01.05.2021). Kenyan government suspends flights to, from India from 2 May (Reuters, 28.04.2021).

International Restrictions:

*Entry to Kenya: From midnight on 9 April all passenger flights, whether commercial or charter, between Kenya and the UK will be suspended. The suspension is expected to be reviewed by the Government of Kenya within 4 weeks.

• All passengers coming to Kenya require a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate and a COVID-19 negative PCR test and must self-isolate on arrival for 7 days. All foreign citizens and residents travelling to Kenya via any route who have a valid COVID-19 PCR test, but do not have a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate, will be subject to up to 14 days mandatory quarantine on arrival at a Government of Kenya designated facility at their own cost. All travellers under the age of 18 will only require a certificate of COVID-19 negative PCR test to enter Kenya.

• If you travel to Kenya you will also need to complete a COVID-19 Travellers Health Surveillance Form

List of available Government-designated quarantine facilities:

• Royal Tulip Hotel (Chaka Road)

• Hilton Garden Inn (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport)

• Ngong Hills Hotel (Ngong Road)

• Swiss Lenana Mount Hotel (Ralph Bunche Road)

• Waridi Paradise Hotel & Suites (Hurlingham)

• Ufungamano Guest House (Nairobi)

• Covent Intl. Hotel (Nairobi)

• Trademark Hotel (Nairobi)

• Jacaranda Hotel (Nairobi)

• Double-Tree Hilton Hotel (Nairobi)

• Glam Hotel (Nairobi)

• Reef Hotel Mombasa (Mombasa)

*Testing and quarantine requirements: The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs have specified that:

• All travellers coming to Kenya require a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate and a COVID-19 negative PCR test and must self-isolate on arrival for 7 days.

• All foreign citizens and residents travelling to Kenya via any route who have a valid COVID-19 PCR test, but do not have a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate, will be subject up to 14 days mandatory quarantine on arrival at a Government of Kenya designated facility at their own cost.

• All travellers under the age of 18 will only require a certificate of COVID-19 negative PCR test to enter Kenya.

• All negative COVID-19 test result must prove that they have been taken within 96 hours of flying and be verified digitally through the Trusted Travel Initiative

• The negative COVID-19 test must be a negative PCR test result. Travellers with a negative rapid test result will still need to enter mandatory or voluntary quarantine for 14 days, depending on the Kenyan authorities’ assessment on the traveller’s ability to quarantine.

• Kenyan citizens will only be required to present a negative PCR test on arrival.

• All travellers will be screened on arrival; anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to quarantine in the place they are staying for the first 14 days of their stay and observe Government of Kenya protocols as directed. Passengers travelling in the 2 rows surrounding the person displaying symptoms will be traced and required to quarantine for 14 days.

Further details are in the Government of Kenya Protocols which can be found on the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority website.

For more information regarding pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirements in the UK, visit the website of the Kenya High Commission in London.

*Data collection: All travellers arriving in Kenya must complete a COVID-19 Travellers Health Surveillance Form before their arrival, even if only transiting. The online registration form can be found on the “Jitenge” platform, accessible via the following link or the “Jitenge” App (available on the Google Play Store). After submitting the form, travellers will receive a QR code which must be presented to port health officials for them to be allowed to proceed to arrival immigration. Arrivals will then be expected to self-monitor and report daily to the same platform for their first 14 days in Kenya.

Internal Restrictions:

*Travel in Kenya: A curfew is in effect across Kenya from 10pm to 4am (local time). During curfew hours, everyone must stay at home or indoors, except for essential service workers. The Government of Kenya has advised that passengers departing the airport during curfew must retain their boarding pass as proof of their arrival time, which will allow for movement to their accommodation. Similarly, evidence of air passengers arriving during curfew will enable access for drivers coming to collect passengers during curfew hours. You do not need a COVID-19 negative test to board domestic flights within Kenya.

The Government of Kenya has directed that, in addition to public transport systems, social distancing rules – in the form of capacity restrictions – will also apply when using private vehicles, including taxis. This means five-seater vehicles will only be allowed to carry two passengers in addition to the driver, while seven-seater vehicles will only be allowed four passengers in addition to the driver.

*Public places and services: The Government of Kenya has directed that face masks must be worn in public places, except when dining, or when adhering to social distancing in hotels, gardens or on beaches. Public places, tourism and hospitality establishments, travel and tour companies, hotels and other accommodations, and recreation facilities are allowed to operate, provided they comply with Government of Kenya public health protocols, including 1.5 metre social distancing and the night-time curfew of 10pm (local).

On 1 May 2021, the Government of Kenya confirmed that on 2 May restaurants and eateries in the counties of Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Kiambu and Nakuru would reopen to customers, provided they comply with Government of Kenya public health protocols including 1.5 metre social distancing and the night-time curfew of 10pm (local). Bars in the five counties would also reopen on 2 May, and be permitted to sell alcohol. From 2 May all bars across Kenya would close at 7pm (local).

Across Kenya, the maximum number of persons permitted to attend meetings or events has been capped at 15, permitted to attend funerals has been capped at 50, weddings capped at 30, with all in attendance expected to abide by Ministry of Health protocols. Political gatherings have been suspended until otherwise directed Kenyan citizens have been advised to avoid crowded places and to work remotely where possible.