The Trump administration on Monday barred U.S. citizens in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from returning to their homes amid an Ebola outbreak that continues to overwhelm response efforts.
Reuters first reported As of Monday night, Americans currently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or those who have recently traveled to the Ebola-stricken country have been placed on a “do not board” list. They cannot travel back to the United States until they have spent 21 days in a third country. The order, made under a transportation authority known as Title 49, was independently confirmed by Politico on Tuesday.
Both outlets noted that about two dozen Americans who were due to board flights home on Tuesday have already been blocked by the new rule. It is unclear whether the ban also applies to government workers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has at least two dozen employees working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The move adds to the already extremely strict and controversial travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration in an effort to isolate itself from the outbreak. Health experts continue to criticize these types of restrictions, as they have historically been unsuccessful and harmful. Specifically, they discourage countries and people from being transparent about disease outbreaks and risks, harm economies, and create stigma. There are also concerns that such restrictions will limit humanitarian aid workers.
Ebola threat
Ebola is not a disease that spreads easily like respiratory viruses. It is transmitted by contact with body fluids. while people are actively sick or have recently died. It has been described as a compassion disease because it primarily spreads to family members, loved ones, caregivers and medical staff who have extensive contact with cases where they are sicker and more contagious. In other words, it is not a disease that one can contract by sitting next to someone who is simply coughing on a plane.
