Travel restrictions imposed on visitors from Ebola-endemic countries during World Cup

Three countries have agreed on joint public health travel measures for individuals arriving from regions in Africa where Ebola is prevalent.

The United States, Mexico, and Canada have issued a joint statement announcing their coordinated efforts to protect citizens and visitors during the upcoming World Cup. The measure aims to mitigate the risk of Ebola transmission.

On May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) a public health emergency of international concern. This decision prompted governments to implement travel-related containment measures.

The US has banned non-citizens who have recently traveled to the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan from entering the country. The ban was extended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to green card holders who have been in those countries within the past 21 days.

Canada has also implemented a ban on residents from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan for 90 days. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals arriving from affected areas will be required to quarantine for 21 days, starting from Saturday.

Mexico’s Health Secretary has introduced stricter Ebola screening measures at airports, advising the public against travel to the DRC and requiring arrivals from the country to observe a 21-day quarantine.

Source: Al Jazeera