Homeland Security says all travelers to US from Ebola-stricken countries must be screened
The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday strengthened Ebola screening for travelers coming to the U.S. from three West African countries hit hard by the deadly virus.
Effective Wednesday, all travelers from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone must now enter the U.S. at one of five airports that recently began providing such screenings, the Associated Press reports.
These restrictions apply to everyone, including U.S. citizens, Reuters reports.
There are no direct flights to the U.S. from the three countries, so air travelers must first go elsewhere and then catch a flight here. Already, most do enter the U.S. at the five airports conducting the screenings, the AP reports. They are: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport; New York’s Kennedy International Airport and nearby Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J.; and Washington’s Dulles International Airport. However, individuals who are scheduled to arrive at other airports will now have to change their plans.
Some countries have banned travelers from the Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and a recent opinion poll shows that most Americans support that idea, Reuters says. Lawmakers are divided as to whether a travel ban is needed.
“We currently have in place measures to identify and screen anyone at all land, sea and air ports of entry into the United States who we have reason to believe has been present in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea in the preceding 21 days,” DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement. “We are continually evaluating whether additional restrictions or added screening and precautionary measures are necessary to protect the American people and will act accordingly,” he added.
It is unclear whether individuals arriving in the U.S. by ship or land transport, either directly or indirectly from Liberia, will also be screened at airports.
A DHS press release earlier this month provides details about the screening procedure at the five airports, which began last week.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Harvard University restricts travel to Ebola-stricken countries”
