Kenya protests Saudi Arabia’s Ebola measures, says outbreak is under control

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - In an effort to curb the potential spread of the Ebola virus, Saudi authorities have tightened travel restrictions affecting Kenyan nationals. The kingdom has now suspended travel by its own citizens to Kenya, halted visa issuance for Kenyan arrivals, and banned their entry into the country. These measures are part of Saudi Arabia's response to an epidemiological assessment conducted by its health authorities.

The new restrictions apply to individuals who have been in Kenya or other Ebola-affected countries within 21 days of their arrival in Saudi Arabia. This follows Saudi Arabia's earlier preventive measures introduced in July 2019 and further reinforced in May 2026 for travelers from countries with Ebola outbreak risks.

Saudi officials emphasized that these measures represent a proactive stance, emphasizing continuous health risk monitoring and assessment, and collaboration with both domestic and international authorities. Previous suspensions by Saudi Arabia include travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, as well as bans on arrivals from these nations. The Saudi Public Health Authority (Weqaya) also strengthened screening procedures and health surveillance at entry points.

Weqaya assured the public that Saudi Arabia's health situation remains stable and is subject to continuous monitoring. The authority is committed to tracking epidemiological developments regionally and globally in coordination with relevant authorities. They emphasized that additional preventative measures may be implemented as necessary to ensure the kingdom's health preparedness and public safety.