Last updated: Sept 30, 2020.
Based on official and non-official sources we compiled the currently available information on the COVID measures in Kenya and conditions of traveling to the country.
The information is valid as stated below. However the situation can change any time, so before booking and boarding on your flight, please contact the nearest Kenyan embassy or consulate for up-to-date information.
International flights to Kenya resumed
This section was last updated on Sept 27, 2020.
As Kenya reopens its economy after restrictions and lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, the country eased its international travel restrictions from August 1, 2020 and international flights resumed. As flight schedules tend to change constantly, please check the latest schedules on the airlines’ websites.
Nairobi – Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
- British Airways: 4 flights per week – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday (direct from London)
- KLM: 5 flights per week – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (direct from Amsterdam)
- Air France: 3 flights per week – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (direct from Paris)
- Turkish Airlines: 4 flights per week – Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday (from Istanbul)
- Qatar Airways: daily flights (from Doha)
- Emirates Air: every day (from Dubai)
- Ethiopian Airlines: twice a day (from Addis Ababa)
- Lufthansa: 4 flights per week – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday (from Frankfurt)
Mombasa – Moi International Airport
- KLM: 5 weekly flights via Nairobi incorporation with Kenya Airways (KQ) (note: long connection in Nairobi)
- Air France: 3 flights per week via Nairobi with KQ (note: long connection in Nairobi)
- Ethiopian Airlines: daily flights (direct from Addis Ababa)
- Lufthansa: daily flights via Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines (from Frankfurt)
Kenya Airways
KQ resumed its international flights to 27 destinations, e.g. London, Paris, Amsterdam, Dubai, Mumbai, Addis Ababa, Dar Es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Kigali, Kinshasa, Free Town. Flights to Mombasa and Kisumu (from Nairobi) are also available.
Domestic flights
Domestic flights – from Nairobi to Mombasa, Kisumu, Malindi, Ukunda – are also operating: Kenya Airways, Fly540, Jambojet.
The following sections were last updated: Sept 30, 2020.
Special COVID measures at the airport for arriving passengers
Beside usual passport and visa requirements, visitors to Kenya should comply with the following additional rules and measures:
- Negative PCR test: international arrivals should have a valid Covid-19 PCR Test Certificate – issued by designated medical centers that meet international requirements – dated within 96 hours of departure.
- Wearing facemask: in all Kenyan airports wearing facemask is obligatory.
- Passenger Locator Card (PLC) / Travelers Health Surveillance Form: for contact tracing purposes every passenger has to provide information – full name, nationality, passport or ID number, phone number, phone number of next of kin, allocated seat – on a special form, namely the Passenger Local Card (PLC). (You have to fill the form online: https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/ or downloading and using “Jitenge MoH Kenya” App or in paper format on board while in the aircraft.)
- Thermal screening at the airport: obligatory temperature screening – with Thermal Scanners or Thermal Guns – takes place upon arrival to identify passengers with and above body temperature of 37.5 °C (99.5 °F)
- Quarantine procedures: there is an obligatory quarantine of 14 days for all passengers – with the exceptions as detailed below – after arriving to Kenya. (Quarantine obligation includes self-quarantine at home for residents, and quarantine in governmental approved facilities for visitors (for the passengers’ own costs).
- Exemptions from quarantine obligation: passengers with body temperature below 37.5 °C (99.5 °F), who do not have COVID-19 like symptoms and can provide a COVID-19 negative certificate that is not older than 96 hours are exempted from quarantine obligations if they arrive from any of the so-called approved countries. (List of approved countries can be found here: https://www.kcaa.or.ke/quarantine-exempted-states.) However, if there are any reported cases or COVID-like symptoms in the aircraft, passengers within 2 rows of the passenger with symptoms shall be quarantined for testing. They can leave the quarantine facility after being tested negative.
Thermal screening and wearing mask obligations are valid for departing passengers as well. In case your temperature is above 37.5 °C (99.5 °F) or you have COVID-19 like symptoms, you will not be allowed to board the aircraft.
COVID measures to comply with during your stay
- Wearing masks: everyone has to wear facemasks in all public places including streets, shops, public transport, etc.
- Curfew: curfew rules are in effect in Kenya, i.e. no moving around between 11.00 p.m. and 4.00 a.m. However, international passengers are exempted from curfew restrictions upon arriving and leaving if they can present their flight tickets and boarding passes. (The driver should also have proof of the airport transfer activity.)
- Public transport: passengers getting in any public transport means have to wear a mask during the whole journey and they should wash/sanitize their hands. Coaches, buses and matatus operate with fewer passengers to provide social distancing. Tuktuks and piki pikis (motorbike taxis) can carry only 1 passenger at a time. There is no restriction on the number of passengers for taxis, however, facemasks have to be worn in taxis too.
- Shops and markets: are in operation, but there are special measures in place, e.g. wearing masks, screening body temperature and washing/sanitizing hands when entering.
- Restaurants: are open till 10.00 p.m. with special measures regarding sanitization and social distancing.
- Bars and alcohol: bars are open till 10.00 p.m. daily, and they can sell alcohol. Alcohol can also be purchased in special shops on takeaway (for home consumption) and in hotels (for checked-in clients only on room service basis).
Other COVID measures in Kenya (that is good to know about)
- Gathering: all public and private gatherings with more than 15 people are banned. The number of participants at weddings and funerals cannot exceed 200.
- Churches and mosques: are open but have to comply with special regulations (e.g. wearing facemasks, washing/sanitizing hands, social distancing, max. 1.5-hour service, and max. 200 participants).
- Schools: schools, kindergartens, and universities are closed till further notice.
Note:
The above information is valid at the time of updating. For up to date information please check with the nearest Kenyan embassy or consulate.
Personal opinion: as the number of daily cases in Kenya is decreasing, further easing of the restrictions is expected. However, the situation can change and restrictive measures can be reintroduced at any time. Till vaccination/cure for SARS-CoV-2 becomes widely available, there is always a risk of special or sudden measures in case the COVID situation in the country significantly deteriorates.