Saudi Arabia has suspended travel by its citizens to Kenya, halted the issuing of visas to Kenyan travellers and introduced an entry ban amid concern over the spread of Ebola. The restrictions were announced on Friday, 30 October 2026, after an assessment by Saudi health authorities.
The measures apply not only to people travelling directly from Kenya. Anyone who has stayed in Kenya or another country affected by Ebola during the 21 days before arriving in Saudi Arabia may also be refused entry, even if they travel through a third country. The restrictions cover all types of visas issued to people arriving from Kenya.
“The restrictions were part of precautionary measures aimed at protecting citizens, residents and visitors from the risk of Ebola transmission,” Saudi authorities said.
What the restrictions mean for travellers
The announcement places Kenya alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, which are already subject to similar Saudi travel restrictions. Saudi Arabia first introduced comparable preventive measures in 2019 and reinforced them in May. In June, the kingdom suspended travel to and from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan.
For travellers, the key issue is the wider definition of recent travel history. A person who has visited Kenya, or another Ebola-affected country, may be affected even when Saudi Arabia is not the immediate destination from that country. The entry restrictions also apply when the traveller has passed through another nation before reaching Saudi Arabia.
| Measure | Detail |
|---|---|
| Travel from Saudi Arabia | Saudi citizens may not travel to Kenya |
| Visas | All visa types for Kenyan travellers have been suspended |
| Entry | People who visited affected countries within the previous 21 days may be barred |
| Monitoring | Saudi authorities continue tracking regional and international developments |
Kenya’s confirmed outbreak
Kenya had confirmed nine Ebola cases, including two deaths, according to the latest available updates as of 30 October. The outbreak has been linked to one cluster that began after a Kenyan man travelled from the DRC through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi.
Eight further cases were subsequently recorded. They included four members of the man’s family and four healthcare workers. The pattern has placed particular focus on close contact and the protection of people involved in caring for patients, although the source content does not indicate any additional confirmed clusters.
There are signs that the outbreak may be coming under control. Kenya had gone three consecutive days without a new confirmed case. Of the seven patients who were in isolation, two had tested negative in their first tests and were waiting for repeat testing after 72 hours. The other five patients were reported to be stable.
Health monitoring continues
Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority, Weqaya, said the country’s public health situation remained stable and was under continuous monitoring. The authority said it was following developments in the region and internationally while working with relevant health agencies.
In addition to the travel suspension, arrivals from countries neighbouring Ebola-affected areas face enhanced entry screening, epidemiological investigations and early health response protocols. These steps reflect the kingdom’s effort to identify possible exposure before it develops into wider transmission.
Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person. It can cause fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, and may lead to internal or external bleeding in severe cases. The Saudi restrictions are therefore centred on recent travel history, border screening and limiting movement from areas where cases have been reported.
For now, the measures remain tied to the health assessment of the outbreak in Kenya and other affected countries. Saudi authorities said they would continue monitoring the situation, while Kenya’s latest updates indicated stable patients, repeat testing and a short period without a newly confirmed case.
