Travelers from California, Florida and Texas Granted Conditional Entry into Kenya
Kenya has reversed its decision to bar travelers from three US states following the resumption of international flights on Saturday.
On Friday, the Transport Ministry said all passengers from the US will be granted entry into Kenya except those coming from California, Florida, and Texas due to the three states’ Covid-19 situation.
The US Embassy in Nairobi in a health and travel alert dated July 31st said travelers from the three states are free to visit Kenya but on condition that they quarantine themselves upon arrival.
“…US citizen travelers coming from California, Florida, and Texas will not be exempt and will be required to quarantine upon arrival either at Government of Kenya-designated facility or their Kenyan residence,” the Embassy noted.
The US is among 18 countries that have so far been cleared for international travel to and from Kenya. Others are China, Canada, South Korea, Namibia, Uganda, Rwanda, Morocco, Japan, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Switzerland, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Qatar, UAE, and Italy.
Travelers arriving from these nations will be exempted from quarantine as long as they have a PCR-based Covid-19 negative certificate, body temperature not exceeding 37.5°C, and not showing flu-like symptoms.
“They should not have a persistent cough, difficulty in breathing, or other flu-like symptoms and must have been tested 96 hours before travel,” said Transport CS James Macharia.
American citizens have been urged to confirm whether airlines have their own Covid-19 testing requirements before booking tickets.
“Please note that all who enter the airport terminal may be subject to temperature checks. If a passenger is confirmed to have a fever, he/she will not be allowed to board their flight. Those with an elevated body temperature shall be referred for secondary assessment by Port Health staff who will handle the passenger in accordance with public health guidelines.”
“Evidence of a flight is sufficient to exempt drivers and ticketed passengers from any penalty normally incurred by those out after curfew hours. Those showing proof of an air ticket and boarding pass shall be allowed to proceed to their hotels and/or residences,” the Embassy added.
Comments (4)
No discrimination!!If anyone is allowed to self quarantine at home, all must be allowed to do the same. No exceptions. Let us not repeat the mistakes Kenya made of allowing foreigners (Chinese) to self- quarantine at home and subjecting Kenyans to horrible quarantine conditions at government facilities or expensive unaffordable hotels in the name of Covid-19.
All must be treated the same!! No one should be allowed to benefit from the misery of Kenyans!! Law is a weapon and should be used carefully!!
In Africa, non-African descent people have red carpet treatment than Africans. That's why they can skip the line in bank or airport check-in or even being served in restaurants before Africans. Don't expect anything different from Kenyan govt when it comes to the treatment of non-african foreigners.
Well said Annonymous UI, we all human and deserve equal treatment.
What is the purpose of "clearing" any country if you are allowing travellers from America? If the country with the highest COVID-19 cases by all metrics and widespread infections in the population is on the list, then throw away the list.