Relief for Kenyans as Israel Lifts Travel Restrictions Imposed Over Ebola Concerns 

Israel’s Ministry of Health has removed Kenya and Rwanda from the list of countries under temporary Ebola-related travel restrictions, easing earlier entry measures.

In a statement on Monday, June 15, Israel Embassy in Kenya said the decision restores normal travel conditions for passengers from Kenya and Rwanda after the removal of Ebola-linked entry limitations.

“We are pleased to announce that Israel’s Ministry of Health has decided to remove Kenya and Rwanda from the list of countries subject to temporary Ebola-related entry restrictions,” the Embassy.

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Kenya Protests Ebola Travel Restrictions

The announcement came just hours after Kenya strongly protested its inclusion on the restriction list.

Earlier on Monday June 15 ,Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei criticised Israel’s decision to classify Kenya among countries whose travellers would face entry restrictions over Ebola concerns.

“Kenya strongly protests the decision by Israel to include the country amongst those whose travellers it will restrict.

This is especially unfortunate given Kenya’s support to regional surveillance and response to Ebola,” Sing’oei said.

The PS noted that Kenya has conducted more than 80,000 Ebola tests and has not recorded a single case of the disease.

Also Read:Kenyan Govt Protests Israel’s Travel Restrictions on Citizens Over Ebola Concerns

What the Earlier Directive Said

Israel had earlier issued a notice to airlines directing them not to allow foreign nationals from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to board flights to Israel.

The directive also applied to foreign travellers who had visited any of the listed countries within 21 days before their travel date, regardless of their nationality or country of residence.

According to the notice, the restrictions were introduced as a precautionary measure following concerns over the Ebola outbreak in parts of the region.

However, the directive exempted Israeli citizens and residents.

The revised directive effectively restores normal travel procedures for passengers departing from Kenya and Rwanda to Israel.

Airlines are now expected to proceed with standard boarding checks without applying the previously issued Ebola-related restrictions for the two countries.

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A photo collage of President William Ruto and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau. PHOTO/ PCS/ Prime Minister Israel X.