09/25/2020
Kenya travel during this pandemic
Here is a detailed note from Mike traveled at the end of August 2020
If you are preparing for travel to Africa under pandemic condictions during september and october, there are numerous sources of information that are either vague, complicated, or contradictory. In my experience boarding commercial flights to Nairobi required precise timing, but not complexity and undue anxiety.
You should come prepared with three documents. (I printed three sets and kept them in separate places on my person throughout my travel.)
The three documents, in order of importance, are:
1. A PCR Covid-19 test report stating you are negative.The timing of this document is the most critical. From the day you're tested, you have only 96 hours to enter Kenya. Because of this, you should only use testing facilities that guarantee 48 hours turnaround on your test. My test results were emailed to me as a simple one page pdf, so I could print them off.
2. A completed health survey from your destination country. Kenya uses an online form that delivers a printable document with a QR for you to print and carry with you. (People who failed to fill this out at home, were given a chance to fill it out on their mobile devices in the airport, which produced unwelcome stress.) During my overseas flight, I was also handed a paper version to fill out for Ethiopia, even though I was only a transit visitor in the airport. (It turned out I didn't need it, because I wasn't leaving the airport, but the stewardess wanted to help me avoid any surprise inconvenience.)
3. A Request for self quarantine: I never was asked for this document, as US citizens are among those exempt from quarantine. (Except those coming from California, Texas, Florida.) However I felt good having it with me, as I upon arrival at Kenya Visa desk, I was asked where I was staying and the phone number of the person picking me up. The self quarantine document was just a good planning step for me. Having it filled out, made it easy for me to be ready.
In summary, I was asked for the first two documents every time I boarded a plane. I was never asked for the third document, but I was asked about the information on it when applying for my Visa.
Here are some tips from on my actual travel experience:
During my travels I kept about 12 of the blue disposable masks, so I could dispose of them every few hours. I used ten of them.
We were asked to keep the mask on while seated. This means you'll be wearing a mask for 24-30 hours...even while sleeping in your seat. So, it's best to bring the lightest mask you can find.
As all legs of my journey were was less than full, solitary travelers can request to be reseated in empty rows.
I brought a legal size container of hand sanitizer for frequent use on the plane, especially right after using the restroom facility.
I also brought a plastic face shield for boarding and disembarking on the overseas leg of my flight. There was absol;utely NO social distancing in the rush to get on and off a place.
Here is my experience upon arrival in Kenya.
The Kenya Ministry of Health has two check in stations greeting all the passengers before customs.
1. The first station is to show your PCR test on last time.
2. The second station is to show your completed Health Survey, which allows them to scan your QR code and greet you by name. This second station also requires you to submit to a full body temperature scan.
Both stations only required a few minutes in total to complete. After that I went through customs, and picked up my luggage and was leaving the airport within 20 minutes.
Here is my experience in Kenya:
Most businesses are opened in Nairobi. Unlike the US almost all public and commercial establishments greet you with hand sanitizers and temperature checks. (And of course the local security scans at the entry points of large venues like malls.)
Much like the US, people are not required to wear masks while seated in restaurants. Unlike the US, people are required to wear masks even while walking outside. We also kept them on while driving, if only to avoid attention from local police.
Due to the pandemic, no alcohol is served in restaurants or bars, but you can buy a drink in some hotels. (To my surprise a bowling alley was open...the last refuge of any virus must surely be hiding in the finger holes of bowling balls.)
There is a curfew at 9:00PM.
Overall, my experience in Kenya was very good. Pandemic safety is viewed as civic duty, without the politicalization in the United States. (Although to be fair, I saw plenty of rural places in Kenya where people weren't wearing masks.)
In summary: If you carry printouts of your fresh PCR negative test, a completed health survey, your residence information, and of course 30 hours worth of masks, you should have a great trip.
Happy travels!
Mike
