Israel has removed Kenya and Rwanda from the list of countries subject to temporary Ebola-related entry restrictions.
The decision now reverses measures introduced amid concerns over Ebola outbreaks in parts of East and Central Africa.
In a statement dated June 15, the Israeli government announced the lifting of the restrictions.
“We are pleased to announce that Israel’s Ministry of Health has decided to remove and from the list of countries subject to temporary Ebola-related entry restrictions,” read the statement.
The development comes days after Israeli authorities introduced precautionary measures targeting travelers from several African countries including The Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda.
Kenya and Rwanda Removed from Restriction List
The Israeli Ministry of Health had earlier classified Kenya and Rwanda among countries whose travelers would be subjected to temporary Ebola-related entry restrictions.
Also Read: Kenya Furious After Being Slapped with Travel Restrictions
The measures were announced as part of efforts to prevent the importation of Ebola cases into Israel following outbreaks reported in neighboring countries within the region.
At the time, the measures drew attention because Kenya and Rwanda had not reported any Ebola case but were included due to their geographical proximity and their role as major regional transport and travel hubs.
Travelers from Kenya and Rwanda will no longer face the additional entry controls that had been imposed as a precautionary public health measure.
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr, Korir Sing’oei, protested Israel’s decision to include the country on a list of nations whose citizens and recent visitors face new travel restrictions.
In a statement on June 15, PS Korir said Kenya strongly objects to the travel restrictions move due to concerns over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, describing it as unfortunate given the country’s role in regional Ebola surveillance and response efforts.
“Kenya strongly protests the decision by Israel to include the country amongst those whose travelers it will restrict,” PS Korir said.
Israel Restricts Kenyan Travelers Over Ebola Concerns
Earlier Israel had imposed new travel restrictions barring foreign nationals from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo from boarding flights to the country following concerns over the Ebola outbreak.
Also Read: Kenya Included in Israel Travel Restrictions Over Ebola Risk
In a directive issued by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority on June 10, 2026, airlines were instructed to deny boarding to citizens and residents of the five listed countries on all flights to Israel.
Directives were issued to airlines requiring screening all passengers before boarding and to verify whether they had traveled to any of the restricted countries in the previous 21 days.
Passengers who meet the criteria must not be allowed to board flights to Israel, and the directive does not apply to Israeli citizens or Israeli residents, who remain exempt from the travel restrictions.
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