Saudi Arabia has introduced travel restrictions targeting Kenya, suspending travel by its citizens and halting the issuance of visas to Kenyans. The move comes amid growing concerns over the spread of Ebola, with Kenya reporting nine cases since an imported case was confirmed a month ago. The restrictions also cover travellers arriving through third countries if they have stayed in Kenya or other countries experiencing Ebola outbreaks within the 21 days preceding their arrival.
The US has also advised its nationals to consider postponing travel plans to Kenya and is subjecting those from Kenya and the region to stringent screening. The travel advisory was raised to Level 3 on October 19, citing security concerns including terrorism, crime, and civil unrest. Other governments, including Canada, the UK, and Australia, have updated their travel and health guidance in response to the outbreak.
El Salvador had earlier imposed an entry restriction covering travellers from Kenya, taking a direct measure affecting people coming from the East African nation. The Central American country's Ministry of Health directed that people arriving from or transiting through eight African countries, including Kenya, be declared inadmissible. The restriction is based on travel history rather than nationality.
South Korea added Kenya to its list of countries requiring enhanced Ebola-related quarantine inspections from October 20. Travellers arriving from Kenya are required to submit health-status declarations and may be subjected to additional screening and monitoring during the virus's 21-day incubation period. The measures are designed to identify possible infections after travellers enter the country.
The international response to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has included restrictions targeting travellers from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, where the outbreak has prompted heightened concern. Several countries and territories have introduced Ebola-related entry restrictions, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates.
Despite the growing travel and diplomatic repercussions, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised governments against shutting borders or restricting trade in response to the outbreak. The organisation has called for stronger cross-border collaboration, surveillance, early detection, contact tracing, and preparedness at points of entry.
Kenya's Ministry of Health has maintained that the outbreak remains contained within a single cluster linked to an imported case from the DRC. The first patient, a Kenyan man who travelled from the DRC through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi, died on October 5 after testing positive for the Bundibugyo strain. Eight additional infections were subsequently confirmed among his relatives and healthcare workers who had attended to him.
Key points
- Saudi Arabia suspends travel to Kenya, imposes entry restrictions amid Ebola concerns
- US advises nationals to consider postponing travel plans to Kenya
- WHO advises against restricting travel to or trade with affected countries
