United States Issues Level 3 Travel Advisory To Kenya

The United States Of America (USA) has reissued its travel advisory on Kenya, urging its citizens not to travel to the country due to an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases. The move is set to hurt the tourism sector that had started booming after the lockdown.

Kenya is currently struggling with a fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the past few weeks. Hospitals are currently strained, shortage of medical oxygen and beds. On Wednesday, close to 2,000 Kenyans tested positive of the Covid-19.

The surge in the Covid-19 infection in Kenya comes even as the government allowed Matatus to resume carrying passengers to full capacity, quashing the 60 percent capacity that had been issued earlier. KMPDU says Kenyans should prepare for the worst.

“Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorised vaccine,” read a statement in part from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The ‘level 3’ travel advisory further said, “Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.” In addition, US citizens have been cautioned from traveling to the Kenya-Somalia border over the terrorism risk.

At the same time, US Citizens have been urged to be careful, especially at night, when traveling to Nairobi’s Kibera and Eastleigh due to increased kidnappings and crime rates. In recent days, Kenya has witnessed increased cases of kidnappings.

“Terrorist attacks have occurred with little or no warning, targeting Kenyan and foreign government facilities, tourist locations, transportation hubs, hotels, resorts, markets/shopping malls, and places of worship. Terrorist acts have included armed assaults, suicide operations, bomb/grenade attacks, and kidnappings,” the statement adds.

The government has not spoken about the recent advisory although it is clear that they will hurt the economy.

Read More: Coronavirus: US Citizens Abroad Advised To Travel Home Quickly