Israel Imposes Travel Ban on Kenya, Uganda and Three Other African Nations Amid Ebola Fears
Israel has imposed sweeping travel restrictions on nationals from five African countries, including Kenya, following concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus across parts of the continent.
The move, announced through a directive issued by Israel’s Border Control Department on June 10, 2026, bars foreign nationals from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from boarding flights bound for Israel.
According to the notice circulated to airlines operating international routes, the restrictions also extend to travellers of any nationality who have visited any of the affected countries within the 21 days preceding their planned travel to Israel.
The directive instructed airlines to carry out rigorous pre-departure screening and ensure that passengers with recent travel histories linked to the listed countries are denied boarding.
“To all airlines, following the outbreak of the Ebola virus, effective from the receipt of this notice, you are prohibited from boarding foreign passengers who meet the criteria specified below on flights bound for Israel,” the notice stated.
It further added: “You are required to prevent foreign citizens and residents of the following countries from boarding flights arriving in Israel.”
Under the new measures, airlines must verify passengers’ recent travel records and establish whether they have stayed in, transited through, or travelled from any of the restricted countries during the designated period.
Israeli authorities warned that any foreign traveller found to have recently visited Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, or the DRC will not be allowed to travel to Israel until the restrictions are lifted.
However, the government clarified that Israeli citizens and permanent residents are exempt from the ban and will continue to be permitted entry, subject to any health screening requirements imposed by authorities.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this directive does not apply to Israeli citizens or Israeli residents. Your strict compliance with these directives and your cooperation are highly appreciated,” the Border Control Department said.
The restrictions come amid growing international concern over the resurgence of Ebola cases in parts of Central and East Africa, prompting several governments to tighten border controls and enhance disease surveillance measures.
Health experts have warned that the highly infectious viral disease poses significant public health risks if not swiftly contained, leading many countries to adopt precautionary travel policies aimed at limiting cross-border transmission.
Israel joins a growing list of nations implementing stricter entry requirements and enhanced screening protocols for travellers arriving from regions affected by the outbreak.
Countries including the United States and the United Arab Emirates have recently strengthened monitoring measures and introduced additional health checks for passengers arriving from Ebola-affected areas.
While the Israeli government has not specified how long the restrictions will remain in force, officials indicated that the measures will be reviewed regularly based on developments surrounding the outbreak and recommendations from health authorities.
The travel ban is expected to affect tourism, business travel, and family visits between Israel and the affected African countries as authorities continue efforts to prevent the virus from crossing international borders.
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