This archive report was first published on 15 September 2021.
Published on September 15, 2021, the UK government is considering removing Kenya and 23 other countries from its 'red list' for travel due to a lack of new Covid-19 variants of concern.
The decision comes after reports that there have been no new Covid-19 variants of concern since May, and the UK has higher levels of Delta infection than other countries.
The 24 countries on the list include Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique, Rwanda, Malawi, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Uruguay, Peru, Paraguay, Oman, Namibia, Myanmar, and Indonesia.
Kenya's Health Director General, Dr. Patrick Amoth, welcomed the development, stating that it is a sign of confidence in the government's enhanced efforts against Covid-19.
Dr. Amoth attributed the removal to the country's enhanced vaccination efforts, capacity to ramp up vaccination, and genomic sequencing and surveillance of variants.
He also noted a decline in infections, Covid-19 admissions to health facilities, and ICUs, as well as the resilience of Kenya's healthcare system.
Dr. Willis Akhwale, chairman of the National Covid-19 vaccine deployment task force, termed the move as 'good news for Kenya', stating that it will enable bilateral trade in a freer atmosphere.
The UK had placed Kenya on its 'Red List' in April to slow the spread of the Coronavirus disease.
