UK FCDO updates Côte d'Ivoire travel advice with new Ebola screening rules and border warnings
On 9 November 2026, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel guidance for Côte d'Ivoire. The latest update adds information regarding Ebola screening and health declarations required for travellers arriving in the country. Alongside the new arrival procedures, the office maintains strict warnings against visiting specific regions. The FCDO advises against all travel to northern Zanzan and Savanes provinces, Comoé National Park, and anywhere within 40km of the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso due to terrorism and kidnap risks from groups based in the Sahel. It also advises against all but essential travel within 20km of the Liberian border because of violent local militias. Anyone planning a trip must check their coverage carefully, as travelling against government advice can invalidate travel insurance policies.
What was announced
On 9 November 2026, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) published revised travel guidance for Côte d'Ivoire. The primary change adds details about health declarations and Ebola screening protocols upon arrival.
The update also restates existing warnings for specific frontier zones:
- The FCDO advises against all travel to areas within 40km of the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali, Comoé National Park, and the northern provinces of Zanzan and Savanes. Terrorist groups based in the Sahel region pose an elevated threat of attacks and kidnappings in these locations.
- The department advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km of the border with Liberia, pointing to risks of severe violence from local militias.
What it means
Travellers heading to Côte d'Ivoire must prepare for health screening and complete official health declarations when entering the country. Anyone visiting needs to confirm the exact entry paperwork before departing.
The advisory directly affects standard travel insurance. The FCDO warned that travelling to or remaining in zones subject to travel warnings could void an insurance policy. If a policy is cancelled or invalidated, the traveller must pay out of pocket for medical emergencies, evacuations, or trip interruptions. British citizens currently visiting or living in the affected border zones should review their security situation.
What the announcement does not tell us
The summary notice omits several operational details:
- It does not list the specific medical tests or checks included in the Ebola screening.
- It does not explain where travellers can access the required health declaration forms, whether paper or digital, or if there is a fee.
- The announcement does not state what happens if an arriving passenger fails the screening or refuses to complete the health declaration.
- It does not clarify how long these health procedures will remain in place at ports of entry.
How this was written
This analysis was written with AI from the official announcement below, using only facts that announcement states. The quoted wording is UK FCDO Foreign Travel Advice’s own. Always check the original before acting on anything here.
New information about Ebola screening and health declarations when arriving in country (‘Entry requirements’ page).
Opens www.gov.uk
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