El Salvador Bars Travellers From Kenya and Seven Other African Countries

El Salvador has barred entry to travellers from eight African countries, including Kenya and the Central African Republic, over Ebola concerns. The Central American country's Ministry of Health announced the health measures, which direct immigration authorities to reject people arriving from or transiting through the affected states. The decision became public on 21 October 2026, the same day Kenya confirmed its ninth Ebola case.

Key facts

• Countries affected: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda
• Anyone arriving from or transiting through those countries is declared inadmissible and denied entry
• Nationals of the eight countries are also barred from entry
• Legal basis: Article 13, paragraph three of El Salvador's Special Law on Migration and Foreigners
• Some of the affected countries have no reported Ebola cases
• No end date for the restrictions has been announced

What is changing?

El Salvador's Ministry of Health issued measures with binding effect instructing immigration authorities to deny entry to people coming from, or who have transited through, the eight listed countries. Under the directive, such travellers are declared inadmissible and refused entry to El Salvador.

The measures rest on Official Letter No. 2026-6000-055, signed by Dr. Francisco José Alabí Montoya in his capacity as Honorary Minister of Health of El Salvador, together with Article 13, paragraph three of the country's Special Law on Migration and Foreigners.

Who is affected?

The restrictions cover nationals of eight African countries — Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda — and also apply to anyone arriving from or transiting through those states. The list includes countries without reported Ebola cases.

Kenyan CNN journalist Larry Madowo said El Salvador denied his application for a special entry permit on Tuesday, 21 October 2026 because he is Kenyan. He said he had planned to return to El Salvador, which he had previously visited, and to volunteer in the country this year, but would not proceed after the denial. "I've just been denied a visa because of Ebola," he stated.

Why is this happening?

The measures were introduced over Ebola concerns. Kenya confirmed its ninth Ebola case on 21 October 2026, and El Salvador joined a list of countries that have imposed travel restrictions or signalled plans to do so. Israel imposed a temporary entry ban on Kenyan nationals in June over Ebola concerns, then lifted restrictions on Kenya and Rwanda days later following diplomatic protests.

The United States raised its travel advisory for Kenya to Level 3, urging travellers to reconsider visits because of Ebola-related health concerns and existing security warnings. The United Kingdom ruled out travel restrictions or any change to its general travel advice, citing Kenya's response through isolation measures and contact tracing.

What this means for travellers

Travellers holding passports of the eight listed countries, and anyone planning to arrive in El Salvador from or via those countries, should check whether the directive affects their trip before making plans. Kenyan nationals planning travel to El Salvador face entry restrictions under the directive.

No start date, expiry date or application procedure has been announced for the measures. The source does not state whether any exemptions or appeal process apply.