Updates on COVID-19 In Ireland

Following public health advice, the government of Ireland agreed that most of the public health measures could be removed as of January 2022. The efforts of the Irish people over recent weeks to reduce social contacts, and take care when they did meet others, combined with the high uptake of the vaccination and booster programme, has made a considerable difference to the public health situation. For more information, see the full release here

TRAVEL ADVISORY:

Travel from Ireland to Kenya 

Security status

Avoid non-essential travel.

Latest Travel Alert

Citizens should exercise caution in any decisions about international travel, taking account of their overall health, their vaccine status, and the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 while abroad. Anyone considering travelling abroad should be aware that restrictions are subject to change at short notice, and additional restrictions may be imposed by the country of your destination, including during your visit.

Travel to Kenya

The following applies to all passengers arriving into Kenya:

  • All passengers arriving into Kenya through any point of entry must have a certificate of COVID-19 vaccination. Passengers below the age of 18 are exempt from this requirement.
  • All passengers must be in possession of a valid COVID-19 negative PCR certificate from a test conducted within 72 hours before departure regardless of the route of entry. Children below the age of 5 are exempt from this requirement. 
  • A random antigen test may be taken by port health officers, depending on risk evaluation of the country of origin. Arrivals whose journey originated in or have transited through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Ghana, Nigeria within the previous 14 days will undergo a free rapid antigen test on arrival for surveillance purposes
  • All passengers arriving in Kenya will be expected to complete a passenger Health Surveillance Locator 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) Passengers will receive a QR code which must be presented to health officials on arrival

Pre-departure testing may be considered at the discretion of any of the airlines departing from or terminating in Kenya.

Any passengers with flu-like symptoms (body temperature not above 37.5° c (99.5°f); persistent cough, difficulty breathing) at the point of entry, or those who develop clinical symptoms within 14 days of arrival shall be placed into quarantine and tested for COVID-19 at a government testing facility.

Any person who tests positive on antigen RDT at any point of entry will be isolated at a Ministry of Health designated facility at the passengers’ own cost or at home for returning Kenyans and residents for 10 days. A COVID-19 PCR test will be administered before discharge.

Exemptions

Operating crew are exempt from the COVID-19 test requirement when on a layover between flights. They must adhere to COVID-19 protocols from airport to hotel/residence and back to airport.

Diplomats and senior government officials will be exempt from quarantine but must be in possession of negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours before travel.

Passenger Health Surveillance Locator Form

Passengers using iPhone should make sure to use Chrome or Firefox browsers to access the form via the URL. A QR code will be sent to your email after submitting the digital locator form

Passengers using Android and are unable to the QR code via email, should log in to the ‘Jitenge’ app and input the passport or ID number used to register, your name will appear, click on the name and select ‘Show QR Code’, take a screenshot and present it to the Health official upon arrival

Passengers using iPhone and unable to access their QR Code via email should check downloads folder or present your phone and passport  number to the Health Desk at arrivals to enable officials retrieve your QR code   

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If you have any questions or concerns you can contact the Embassy team via email at Nairobiem@dfa.ie or call on 254 (0) 205 1 353 0 or +254 716 353 999

The Embassy of Ireland advises citizens travelling to Kenya to register with the Embassy and exercise a high degree of caution while in Kenya.

Law requires carrying ID at all times and police may request evidence of this. 

You can contact the emergency services in Kenya by dialling 999. 

You can also follow the Embassy via: Twitter – @IrlEmbKenya or on Facebook – @irishembassyinkenya for updates.

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