Kenya is facing growing international travel restrictions over Ebola. El Salvador has barred entry to travellers from Kenya and seven other African countries, just days after the United States raised its travel advisory for Kenya to Level 3.

El Salvador's entry ban

El Salvador's Ministry of Health announced the measure in Official Letter No. 2026-6000-055, signed by Honorary Minister of Health Dr Francisco José Alabí Montoya. It covers people arriving from or transiting through Kenya, Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda.

The order relies on Article 13 of El Salvador's Special Law on Migration and Foreigners. It says affected travellers "will be declared inadmissible and will be denied entry to the country", Kenyans.co.ke reported. It applies even to some listed countries that have reported no Ebola cases.

CNN journalist Larry Madowo, a Kenyan who has previously visited El Salvador and met President Nayib Bukele, said his application for a special entry permit was turned down because of his nationality. "I've just been denied a visa because of Ebola," he wrote. He noted the ban was imposed "when Kenya had eight Ebola cases".

US moves to Level 3

On Monday, 19 October 2026, the US State Department moved Kenya from Level 2 ("Exercise Increased Caution") to Level 3 ("Reconsider Travel"). The advisory cites terrorism, crime, kidnapping and dangerous road conditions, as well as health risks from the Ebola outbreak.

The US kept its Level 4 "Do Not Travel" warning for Eastleigh and Kibera in Nairobi, parts of the north-eastern and coastal regions, and designated areas of West Pokot, Turkana and Marsabit counties.

Mixed international response

Not every country has followed suit. The United Kingdom has ruled out travel restrictions and left its general advice unchanged, citing Kenya's isolation measures and contact tracing.

Israel briefly imposed an entry ban on Kenyans over Ebola fears in June. It lifted the restriction on Kenya and Rwanda days later after diplomatic protests from Nairobi.

Kenya has now confirmed nine cases, all in one cluster linked to the index patient who came from the DRC. The Ministry of Health says there is no evidence of community transmission and that the country remains open for travel, trade and public gatherings.

Photos: Kenyans.co.ke