Written by
Faridah N Kulumba
Africa-Press – Kenya. Since April 2021, the United Kingdom banned travellers from Kenya from entering their country due to the emergence of the highly contagious Covid-19 Delta variant.
It is highly unlikely that the Uk would have relaxed its requirement if the lisk was still high. According to the Kenyan Health ministry, there has been a decline in Covid-19 infections, with the positivity rate dropping from 14.5 per cent last month to seven percent.
Now that the ban is lifted, it will ease travel for official, business, and personal interest, Nation reported.
Background and segments
The UK segmented countries into green amber and red lists, each carrying different degrees of restrictions for arrivals back to Britain.
A British citizen travelling from a Green and Amber list is not required to undergo a mandatory quarantine to curb the spread of Covid-19.
While travellers arriving in the UK from countries on the Red List are denied entry, and the returning Britons must submit to 10 days of mandatory quarantine in hotels.
Kenya had earlier protested the ban having relaxed punitive requirements imposed on British citizens, which required them to undergo 14 days of isolation before entering the country.
The ‘Red List’ contains stringent rules for travel to the UK, even if one is fully vaccinated. They include taking Covid-19 test three days before travel and two more on arrival in Britain, and being quarantined in a hotel after completing a passenger locator.
Effect of the ban
The UK ban dealt a big blow to the Kenyan economy, especially the tourism sector, the decision to remove Kenya from its Covid-19 ‘Red List’ could not have come at a better time.
Some Kenyans criticised the UK act of the ban, Sayeed Sultan a businessman while speaking to Africa-Press said that it was unnecessary. Adding that instead of the Red List, Britain would have insisted on allowing only fully vaccinated travellers so that other countries can put in more efforts on vaccinating their citizens.
Challenge on the UK-Kenya relations
The restrictions have posed a serious challenge for countries that have enjoyed close ties for years. They have made life difficult for the Kenyans who have interest in Britain, including a large number of students. British tourists have also missed out on their popular beach holidays and wildlife safaris.
But the UK High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriot assured that the two nations partnership remains strong, even though she acknowledged that the situation has been difficult.
