Kenya will soon become the first African country to prevent unvaccinated nationals from accessing certain services and public spaces. In addition, all arrivals in the East African country coming from Europe will only be allowed in if they can provide proof of being fully vaccinated.
Kenya Airways has confirmed to Travel News that the upcoming vaccination requirement to enter the country only addresses visitors from Europe, and does not affect South Africans wanting to enter Kenya.
Under the coming regulations, unvaccinated people will, from December 21, be barred from in-person government services such as Kenya Revenue Authority services, education, immigration services, hospital and prison visitation, National Transport and Safety Authority Act and port services, among others, said a release from the Kenya Ministry of Health.
This extends to admission into all national parks, game reserves, hotels, bars and restaurants.
According to the announced new rules, flight attendants and pilots, bus drivers, taxi drivers and drivers of motorcycle taxis must be fully vaccinated from December 21, in order to be allowed to operate.
The tightening of rules shortly before Christmas is intended to prevent a rapid increase in the number of infections over the festive season.
Currently, just under 10% of Kenya’s adult population is fully vaccinated.
