US imposes new travel curbs on arrivals from Ebola-affected nations
The US has tightened entry rules for travellers from Uganda, South Sudan and DRC to curb Ebola risk.
The United States has introduced temporary travel restrictions for passengers arriving from three African nations as part of its public health response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
The new protocols, outlined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), apply to anyone who has been present in Uganda or South Sudan within 21 days of their arrival in the US. Such travellers — including US citizens and nationals — will now be routed through designated American airports where they will undergo public health entry screening.
The requirement extends even to passengers who merely transited through either country on a connecting flight, the CDC said.
A stricter rule applies to travellers who have spent time in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) within the same 21-day window. They will be barred from boarding commercial flights bound for the US, and are advised to remain outside the country until three weeks have elapsed since their departure from DRC.
Travellers coming from Ebola-affected provinces in DRC may also face additional restrictions imposed by local authorities before they are allowed to leave the country.
In cases where Ebola is suspected, patients will be transferred to a hospital for medical evaluation, isolation and care.