Coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel: The situation around the world is changing dramatically. Various governments have changed their travel warnings to restrict travel during this time. To understand how this may impact cover under your policy, please go to our FAQs and select your country of residence.
For the latest travel warnings and alerts around the world, read about lockdowns and border restrictions.
How are coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions affecting travel to Kenya? Read the latest travel warnings and alerts.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions in Kenya – updated 13 October 2021
Tourism to Kenya resumed on 1 August 2020. International flights are operating, and passengers are subject to entry requirements.
Requirements for travel to Kenya
- From midnight 24 September 2021, all passengers/crew arriving from the UK must have a valid certificate for a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 96 hours before arrival in Kenya except children below 5 years of age.
- All travelers, regardless of age, and even those only transiting Kenya, must carry evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of flying that can be verified digitally through the Trusted Travel Initiative (TT) system and the PanaBios system. At this time, it appears that a test result is required even if a traveler has been vaccinated.
- In instances where travelers have been unable to verify their test online through the Trusted Travel Initiative website, Kenyan Port of Health Authorities will conduct manual verification using a hard copy of a negative PCR test result that has been stamped by the test center as well as a hard copy of the official receipt for the payment of the PCR test.
- Travelers from some countries are required to quarantine for 14 days. Travelers from countries on this list are exempt from quarantine if they present a negative COVID-19 test. The test must be a PCR test. Travelers with a negative rapid test result will still need to enter mandatory or voluntary quarantine for 14 days.
- As of 9 April 2021, all passenger flights, whether commercial or charter, between Kenya and the UK will be suspended. The suspension will be reviewed by the Government of Kenya within 4 weeks. All passengers coming to Kenya from the UK require a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate and a COVID-19 negative PCR test and must self-isolate on arrival for 7 days. All UK citizens and residents traveling to Kenya from the UK 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 14 days mandatory quarantine on arrival at a Government of Kenya facility at their own cost.
- All travelers must ill out a "Travelers Health Surveillance Form" online for contact tracing
- There will be health screenings on arrival
- Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival will be required to quarantine in their accommodation for the first 14 days. Passengers seated on two rows surrounding anyone on a flight displaying symptoms will be traced and required to quarantine for 14 days.
- Effective 1 January 2021, the Republic of Kenya has fully automated the issuance of visas. Visa on arrival will no longer be available after that date.
Requirements for travel from Kenya
Travelers who intend to depart Kenya must first visit an authorized laboratory, obtain a negative PCR COVID-19 test, and be issued a TT code verified by airlines and immigration authorities. More information on the digital verification is available here.
Important note: These travel alerts are general in nature, and we will not respond to any comments about specific personal circumstances. For information relevant to you, contact your local Kenyan embassy, consulate or airline for any updates on how these changes will affect you personally.
Restrictions in Kenya
There are a number of COVID-19 safety measures in place throughout Kenya:
- Curfews are in effect. In the five counties of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu, and Nakuru, nightly curfew hours are from 8pm to 4am. In the other 42 counties, nightly curfew hours are from 10pm to 4am
- Movement by air, rail, and road into and out of the five counties of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu, and Nakuru (as one zoned area) is suspended. Movement within the five counties is permitted.
- Face masks must be worn in public places and on public and private transport.
Potential terror threat in Nairobi – 27 February 2020
The Australian Government released a travel alert: On 27 February 2020, the US Government warned that terrorist groups may be plotting an attack against a major hotel in Nairobi. The exact hotel has not been identified, but it is believed to be popular with tourists and business travelers.
Check your government's travel advisory for the latest information.
Before you buy a travel insurance policy, check your government travel warnings and health advice – there may be no travel insurance cover for locations with a government travel ban or health advice against travel.
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37 Comments
Travel to visit family
I wish to know if any travel destination
Restriction.
We are arriving in Kenya at the end of the month of November 2020. We know that we have to present a certificate of a negative PCR test for CoVid, upon arrival in Kenya that was done 96 hours before our departure from the States. We have recently been told by our airline that, because we are arriving from Texas, we will be quarantined for 14 days after arrival!! Is this an old requirement or was it just recently put into effect by the Kenyan Government? We will only be in Kenya for 11 days, in two different locations. We desperately need to know if this is correct, as soon as possible. If this is true, we will have to cancel our plans. If you could get back to me right away, I would greatly appreciate it. Mike and Sylvia Eden
Hi regarding your concern, that’s not true only if your showing covid-19 symptoms than you’ll have to quarantine for 14days. But other than you would be fine I’m also traveling this Wednesday to Kenya visiting family members. Some of my family and friends have already traveled ahead of me as we speak they are in Kenya and they didn’t mentioned anything about your concern, Thank you
Hi,
2 questions :
Is it 96 hrs before departure or 96 hrs before arrival , this is unclear - the UK Gov website says 96 hrs departure and some sites say arrival
How do you if the PCR test is valid for Kenyan authorities
Thanks !
It is before, 96h before arrival.
Cheers
My boyfriend lives in Kenya and I'm in UK. He had planned to move here the summer but due to covid can not get a visa.
Can I travel over for Christmas from uk or does it have to be a serious reason to travel and if I can do I have to isolate when I arrive back to the UK. I've read the rules but get so confused. Any help would be great, I did ask a travel agent and she said I couldn't fly but why is there flights if we can't fly?
TIA
Carlie
Hii
I am Gerson , my nationality is Colombian but since 2016 I have lived in Tanzania
My question is, am i exempted of quarantine upon arrival ?
Thank you
Hi carli
No u dont need any serious reason just need a negetive pcr test u can go to kenya from uk n u wont need to self isolate if u are -ive but once u come back to uk u need to quarantine for 14 days but from 15th dec if u come bavk u will be able to take pcr test after 5 days of arrival to uk if - ive u can go to work
I would like to travel to Kenya in Dec. 2020. I live in California. Will i be required to quarrentine because i live in California.
ALSO will I be requirred to take a covid test to leave Kenya to return to US?
Hi I’m traveling to Kenya in January I’m a US citizen do I need to do a covid test when I depart Kenya to come back to the USA? Thanks 😊
Hi I will to traveling into Kenya February 2 2021 from Texas do I have to qurantey 14 days before I can travel into kenay please let me know I have my ticket ready for only 13 days please let me know thanks for your help
hi , if Kenya citizen come back to Kenya from Madagascar , they need to have PCR test , also if kenyan ?
Do children need a COVID 19 test before entering Kenya?
Do we need to have a covid test done for babies?
I want to travel to Kenya on January 5 and stay there for 3 months is it t safe to travel to Kenya I know I have to take covid test befor 96 hours please reply
Hi everyone, I arrived in Kenya from UK early December. All you need is a negative pcr test and show no covid symptoms. Its important to fill out the health form online, and PRINT the code, as this will need scanning during arrival screening process. Once in the country, theres hardly any follow ups regarding distancing or maintaining curfew hours. I have seen clubs open till 2am and hardly any traffic cop asks why a car is full despite requirements to have only 50% capacity.
Unbelievable i am the healthiest strong person and now i am told where i can go?? Because i will turn 65? Who sre you to decide uoon my life? I spent 21 days in tanzania and no one has virus or dies/ this is all a Fraud
I want to come to Kenya this month from Uganda to study but I don't know how am supposed to do it because I feel like they might not let me, I don't know if buses are operating, are if I use a flight will I be allowed to overstay
Hi! I am travelling to Kenya this week from the UK. could you or anyone kindly clarify if a UK NHS PCR test is valid and acceptable on arrival in Kenya? I ask this as we only get a confirmation by text on our phone if we are negative (or positive) and there is NO certificate issued.
I am planning on Visiting Kenya in late June 2021. I am totally vaccinated. Do I still need a negative covid-19 test?
Hi, I am travelling to Kenya from Uganda next month. I am planning on travelling by coach to Nairobi from Jinja rather than flying. Is it mandatory to have a physical certificate of my test, or is a digital version acceptable? Is the entry process different as it won’t be conducted in an airport? Also, are travel visas available on arrival, or will I need an e-VISA in advance? Thank you
Hi,i want to travel to UK from kenya on july,is it a mandatory to have a physical certificate of my test.
And let me know if American airlines is operating please.
We are from USA but now in South Africa, and will be flying from South Africa to Kenya.
We want to visit Kenya for 5 days in April 2021
Will we need to quarantine when we arrive?
^ Same question, Thomas. Let me know if you find out!
Hi
We are traveling to Nairobi on March 19 and onward to Masai Mara. We will have our PCR test before we depart the US as required by our airline - Qatar. We are nervous about the Covid levels and are seeking local advise if this is a good idea or should we postpone the trip. Any feedback would be appreciated.
hello.
we are travelling to u.k with kids aged 6 and 5. anyone knows whether we also have to do a covid test for the children pre-departure from kenya? Uk laws do not require this? But i wonder if kenyan laws require this? we did have to do a covid test fro the kids while entering kenya. pls any feedback will be appreciated.
I'm a Belgian citizen but will depart my travel to Kenya from Barcelona on March 26. Will I be mandatory quarantined?
I would like to travel to Kenya for 10 days from 2 April then on to uk..anyone know if Kenya will be added to the red list in uk, where upon arriving you would need hotel quarantine
Tia
Hi I’m traveling to Kenya this year I’m aware I have to produce a negative covid test upon arrival my question is if I’ll be in Kenya for a few day’s then will be flying to Tanzania from Kenya will I need to take another test before flying into Tanzania from Kenya ?
hey im planning on going to Kenya in late may or early June. does anyone know whether or not I need a covid vaccination or just to get tested?
Hey, we're planning to do Ethiopia-Kenya-Tanzania by bus. We have a flight to Addis Ababa and the return from Dar Es Sakaam. Anyone has any idea about land border crossing and public transport?
What good is this format if none the questions get answers?
I am travelling from Pakistan to enter Saudi Arabia. My plan was to travel to Kenya for 15 days and then enter Saudi Arabia.
Can anyone let me know what will be the situation in Kenya, do I need to quarantine?
I am Canadian citizen.do I need a 14 day corentine in Kenya.coming from India . Thanks
I will be traveling to Kenya from the United States in September and will have a PCR test done 3 days before arrival. Is there anything else I need to complete aside from the health form? Do I just need to show proof of negative test from an email, or does it need to be verified through the trusted travel initiative?
I registered for an account already but was unable to locate the health group that will be conducting the test, will this be a problem?
Pls is it save to travel from Kenya to mozambic then to south Africa by road also,since my country Nigeria is not giving south African visa for now,as I am advised,fly from Nigeria to Kenya,by road Kenya to mozambic then to south Africa,pls I need help.