Having earlier this month denied that PCR testing for inbound passengers had been scrapped, the government of Kenya has now indeed scrapped the PCR test requirement for incoming visitors.
Despite the removal of the PCR requirement, travellers from South Africa and certain other African countries should note that they are treated differently – passengers from the list below are required to undergo rapid antigen testing on arrival, free of charge.
(Earlier in March, a document – purportedly from the Kenya Ministry of Health – had been circulating online stating that PCR testing had been removed – this turned out to be a fake.)
The current regulations are…
1. All travellers arriving in Kenya through any point of entry must have a certificate of COVID-19 vaccination. The following categories of travellers are exempt from the requirement:
a. Travellers below the age of eighteen (18) years.
b. Travellers with medical conditions precluding vaccination. Such persons must provide a letter from a recognised medical practitioner detailing the medical reason precluding vaccination.
c. Travellers who have recovered from an active COVID-19 infection or received convalescent plasma in the preceding 90 days. Such persons must provide a letter from a recognised medical practitioner showing that the person may have recovered from an active infection in the preceding 90 days.
d. Returning unvaccinated Kenyans who have difficulty accessing vaccines in their current country of residence. Such persons must be prepared to be vaccinated immediately upon arrival and must register for vaccination on Chanjo-Ke platform before departure. Proof of registration is required before entry into the country.
2. All travellers coming to Kenya who are fully vaccinated are exempt from the requirement for a PCR test.
3. All eligible unvaccinated travellers arriving at any port of entry into Kenya, must be in possession of a valid COVID-19 negative PCR test certificate conducted within 72 hours before departure, regardless of the route of entry. Children below the age of five (5) are exempt from this requirement.
4. Unvaccinated travellers arriving at any point of entry must take a rapid antigen test at their own cost (USD30). Anyone who tests positive on antigen RDT must take a PCR test at their own further cost of USD50 and self-isolate. Travellers below the age of five (5) years are exempt from this requirement.
5. There will be no paper verification of COVID-19 test results and vaccination certificates upon arrival into Kenya. Airlines should ensure that all travellers have uploaded both documents into global haven before boarding via www.globalhaven.org
6. Operating crew are exempt from COVID-19 test when on a layover between flights. They must adhere to COVID-19 protocols from airport to hotel/residence and back to airport.
7. All travellers will be expected to fill in the traveller locator form on the ‘jitenge’ platform.
8. Passengers departing from Kenya must adhere to the particular travel, health and COVID-19-related requirements of the destination country.
9. Pre-departure testing may be considered at the discretion of any of the airlines departing from or terminating in Kenya.
NB: Anyone whose travel originated in the following countries, or who transited through these countries must undergo a rapid antigen test at the point of entry, free of charge.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Ghana and Nigeria.
