Ebola: Saudi Arabia Expands Health Measures to Safeguard Global Pilgrims
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Saudi Arabia has strengthened its public health surveillance and border control measures to protect pilgrims, Umrah visitors and other travellers from the risks of Ebola, extending travel restrictions to Kenya amid concerns over the outbreak in parts of Africa.
The latest measures, announced on Friday, October 30, include suspending the issuance of all categories of visas to travellers from Kenya, prohibiting their entry into the Kingdom and suspending travel by Saudi citizens to the East African country.
The restrictions also cover travellers arriving through third countries who have stayed in Kenya or other Ebola-affected countries within the 21 days preceding their arrival in Saudi Arabia.
According to Saudi authorities, the measures followed an assessment of the epidemiological situation and form part of the Kingdom’s continuing efforts to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
The Kingdom has also strengthened health screening at entry points, epidemiological investigations and early response mechanisms for travellers arriving from countries neighbouring Ebola-affected areas.
Ebola: Saudi Arabia Expands Health Measures to Safeguard Global Pilgrims
The measures build on preventive protocols introduced in July 2019 and strengthened in May 2026, when Saudi Arabia intensified its monitoring of Ebola developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
The Saudi Public Health Authority, Weqaya, had earlier disclosed that health response teams were activated at ports of entry, while health facilities were placed on alert to manage suspected cases in line with approved medical protocols.
The authority also introduced daily epidemiological monitoring at accommodation facilities for pilgrims arriving from countries neighbouring Ebola-affected areas.
In June 2026, Saudi Arabia suspended travel by its citizens to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, alongside restrictions on arrivals from the affected countries.
Weqaya said the Kingdom’s overall health situation remained reassuring, assuring citizens, residents and visitors that it was continuously monitoring regional and international developments in coordination with relevant health authorities.
The authority said it would introduce additional preventive measures when necessary to maintain public health preparedness and safeguard the safety of pilgrims and other visitors to the Kingdom.
