Updates on COVID-19 in Kenya

GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS AND REGULATIONS  

  • The Kenyan Authorities have announced that all persons visiting public places such as supermarkets, open air markets, public transport and other public areas should at all times wear a face mask to reduce the chances of transmission of the virus.
  • The Government of Kenya has directed that face masks must be worn in public places, except when dining, or when adhering to social distancing in hotels, gardens or on beaches.
  • The Ministry of Health clarified that despite the lifting of the curfew, bars are to operate until 2300hrs
  • Restaurants and eateries countrywide to continue with operations in accordance with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Health. Restaurants encouraged to use outdoor spaces to maximise physical and social distancing.
  • All public gatherings including political rallies remain suspended until further notice. Intergovernmental meetings are also on hold.
  • The resumption of sporting activities is to be guided by guidelines issued by the Ministry of Sports and Ministry of Health.
  • All employers are encouraged to allow their employees to work from home with the exception of employees offering critical or essential services that cannot be delivered remotely.
  • All hospitals to limit the number of visitors to hospitalised patients to one (1) visitor per patient per day.
  • All physical /in-person public gatherings and meetings, including political rallies and campaign meetings for impending by-elections, are suspended with immediate effect for a period of 60 days.
  • All other social gatherings including weddings, celebrations of marriage or traditional unions, ceremonies of rites of passage, funeral/cremation shall strictly adhere to the 100 person attendance limit.
  • In-person and congregational worship to continue with adherence to guidelines by Inter-faith Council and the Ministry of Health. Congregational attendance remains capped at 2/3 of the capacity of the place of worship.
  • Public service vehicles have been permitted to carry full capacity. All passengers in public and private vehicles must wear masks and maintain hand hygiene.
  • The authorities are conducting random temperature checks in public spaces. If you show signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and are able to self-isolate, you can expect to be directed to do so. If you cannot self-isolate, you can expect to be taken into a State health facility by the Kenyan Authorities.
  • All those who have been vaccinated are asked to continue adhering to the containment measures as they remain at risk of contracting the virus.

See a full update: Read the Sixteenth Presidential Address on the Corona Virus Pandemic 

TRAVEL ADVISORY

Travelling from Kenya

Passengers travelling out of Kenya will require a COVID 19 vaccination certificate. In addition, they will be required to abide by the particular travel, health and COVID-19 related requirements of the destination country.

For more information on the list of exempted states, visit the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Website

KENYA ENTRY VISAS

Kenyan entry visas are exclusively issued electronically, with passengers required to obtain their e-visas before departure. Those travelling can apply for single entry and transit visas on the e-visas website. For more information, see the website of the Embassy of Kenya in Ireland http://www.kenyaembassyireland.net/

Stay informed:

In light of the eased COVID-19 related travel restrictions and resumption of international travel, the Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services announced lifting of an earlier amnesty on stay in the country effective from 14th September 2020. Visitors must leave the country before the expiry of their visas OR apply for the required Permits or Passes to regularize their stay in the country, if not Section 53(1) J of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act (2011) will take effect.

IMPORTANT LINKS AND CONTACTS

If you are already in Kenya, we strongly encourage you to register with the Embassy: 

Information on COVID-19 from the Health Service Executive of Ireland:

Information on COVID-19 from the World Health Organisation:

More information is available on the Kenya Ministry of Health website

Useful Contact Numbers

Aga Khan University Hospital HOTLINE: +254709931700

Kenyan Ministry of Health HOTLINE Toll Free 0800721316 Mobile: 0729471414 and 073235353