Kenyans with no COVID-19 vaccine certificate will not be permitted to travel outside the country from 2022, a Kenyan minister has warned.

Kenyan media reported on Friday that the country’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism Najib Balala revealed a plan to come up with a vaccine passport, which could lock out those who wish to travel beyond Kenyan borders and are not compliant.

He said the country was working with Air Transport Association (IATA) to come up with a vaccine card, which could bear semblance with the yellow fever card currently used by the travellers in East Africa.

“There will be a vaccination card just like the one for yellow fever being pushed by IATA. We are continuing to consult with them. At the moment we cannot say that people need to be vaccinated to travel. But soon it will be,” said Balala.

Kenya started its vaccination program in February and has reportedly vaccinated over 800,000 people by this week.