The Israeli government has imposed a travel ban on nationals from five African countries, including Kenya, following the recent Ebola virus outbreak reported in the region.
In the notice dated June 10, Israel also imposed a travel ban on Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
According to the directive, airlines operating flights to Israel have been instructed not to allow citizens and residents of the five countries to board flights destined for the country.
“Following the outbreak of the Ebola virus and in accordance with the directives of the State of Israel, effective from the receipt of this notice, it is prohibited to board foreign passengers who meet the criteria specified below on flights bound for Israel.
“You are required to prevent foreign citizens and residents of the following countries from boarding flights arriving in Israel: The Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda,” read the statement in part.
Israel also directed airlines to deny boarding to any foreign national who has stayed in or visited any of the listed countries within 21 days before their intended travel date to Israel, regardless of their nationality or country of residence.
“Furthermore, boarding on flights to Israel must be denied to any foreign national who has stayed in or visited any of the countries listed above during the 21 days prior to the flight date, regardless of their citizenship or country of residence,” the statement added.
The airlines must question all foreign passengers before departure and verify whether they have travelled to or stayed in any of the restricted countries during the previous 21 days. Passengers who answer in the affirmative must not be allowed to board flights to Israel.
The Israeli authorities, however, clarified that the restrictions do not apply to Israeli citizens or permanent residents.
