The Trump administration implemented temporary restrictions on the return of Americans from Congo due to the Ebola outbreak. U.S. citizens must spend 21 days in a third country before flying.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed temporary restrictions, prohibiting American citizens from returning to the country via commercial flights from the Democratic Republic of Congo due to a widespread Ebola outbreak. This is reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
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According to the agency, U.S. citizens who are in Congo or have recently left the country will not be able to fly to the United States until they have spent at least 21 days in a third country. The restrictions are based on U.S. transportation law. The White House stated that approximately two dozen Americans were scheduled to fly to the U.S. on Tuesday, but their travel has now been postponed.
The decision was made amid the rapid spread of the Ebola outbreak in Congo. Official data indicates that 1926 cases of the disease have been confirmed in the country, with 702 resulting in fatalities. U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed the relevant order, noting that the virus is spreading to areas just a few hours’ drive from the country’s capital, Kinshasa.
Previously, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the infection of an American humanitarian worker in Congo with the Ebola Bundibugyo virus. He was hospitalized in Germany for treatment. The U.S. Department of State has stated that it will provide support to American citizens who are unable to return home immediately due to the new restrictions.