Kenya moves from red list to amber list
Finally! Kenya 🇰🇪 is off the UK’s red list! This will take effect at 4am, Wednesday 22 September 2021.
For the last few months, tens of thousands of British people have been denied the chance to travel to Kenya, one of their favourite holiday destinations. Equally, red list restrictions have been disastrous for Kenyans wanting to visit friends and relatives in the UK, and those who study or work in the UK.
While we appreciate the need to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19, the British “traffic light system” has created untold frustrations for travellers. Travel restrictions continue to cause massive financial losses for developing countries whose economies are reliant on tourism.
At the time of writing, leisure travel to red list countries is banned by the UK government and remains in place for Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa and many other countries. (Ironically, the UK has some of the world’s highest COVID infection rates). November 2021: travel is a continuous state of flux. If you have any East Africa travel-related questions you are always welcome to message me directly.
Are you traveling to Kenya?
According to the Magical Kenya website, all passengers travelling to Kenya from the UK must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate conducted within 96 hours before travel. (Children under the age of five are exempt).
In addition, all passengers are required to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival (except if you are coming from the exempted countries) and must take a PCR test four days after arrival. [September 18th: will visitors to Kenya still need to self-isolate after 22nd September? I am looking for official guidance on that and shall update this blog once I find it].
All travellers need to complete a COVID-19 Travellers Health Surveillance Form before travelling. You’re advised to download the QR code which you will need to show to Port Health officials on arrival.
Are you travelling to the UK from Kenya?
According to the East African (September 17th 2021) “Travellers from Kenya will be exempted from compulsory hotel quarantine, although they may be required to isolate for 10 days and take tests.”
Read more about the red and amber list travel restrictions on the British government’s website.
I know from first-hand experience how creative we have to be if we want to avoid quarantine! In July 2021, I travelled from ‘red list Uganda’ via Spain in order to get into the UK without quarantining.
I regularly visit Kenya so I’m absolutely thrilled that red list restrictions are being removed. We now need Uganda, Rwanda, and South Africa to be removed from the UK’s red list!
HOORAY! The UK’s traffic light system has been disbanded. What this means is that there are fewer restrictions on travel.
Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa – to name but a few African countries – are off the red list. Travel remains in flux so always check for latest information and message me to check, if you prefer. It’s simply impossible to keep all blog posts up-to-date.