Kenya has been listed among countries facing visa restrictions from El Salvador due to Ebola concerns, raising questions about the impact of the outbreak on Kenyan travellers.
The Central American country has barred entry to nationals of eight African countries, including Kenya, as part of health measures announced by its Ministry of Health.
The restrictions also affect Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda, including countries without reported Ebola cases.
The decision means Kenyans planning trips to El Salvador face entry restrictions, with the directive applying to people arriving from or transiting through the eight affected countries
The news came to light after CNN journalist Larry Madowo took to social media on Tuesday, October 21, after El Salvador denied his application for a special entry permit because he is Kenyan.
Madowo disclosed the decision publicly, explaining that he had planned to return to El Salvador, where he had previously visited and met President Nayib Bukele.
“I’ve just been denied a visa because of Ebola. This was by El Salvador and that was when Kenya had eight Ebola cases. But they’re not just banning citizens of Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where this outbreak began,” Madowo stated.
The journalist said he had intended to volunteer in the country this year but would not proceed following the visa denial linked to Ebola concerns.
According to the official decision, as shown in screenshots and documents obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, El Salvador relied on Article 13, paragraph three, of its Special Law on Migration and Foreigners to deny entry to foreign nationals, directing immigration authorities to reject people arriving from or transiting through the eight countries.
“In that regard, it is pertinent to consider the provisions of Official Letter No. 2026-6000-055, signed by Dr. Francisco José Alabí Montoya, in his capacity as Honorary Minister of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of El Salvador, which establishes, with binding effect, that “any person who comes from or has transited through the nations of Angola, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda, will be declared inadmissible and will be denied entry to the country,” the document stated in part.
This comes as Kenya confirmed its 9th Ebola case on October 21, with El Salvador adding to the long list of countries that have either imposed travel restrictions or have made intentions to do so, such as Israel, which imposed a temporary entry ban on Kenyan nationals in June over Ebola concerns but lifted restrictions on Kenya and Rwanda days later following diplomatic protests.
The U.S. raised its travel advisory for Kenya to Level 3, urging travelers to reconsider visits over Ebola-related health concerns and existing security warnings.
Meanwhile, the U.K. ruled out imposing travel restrictions or changing its general travel advice, citing Kenya’s response through isolation measures and contact tracing.
Source: Kenyans.Co.Ke
