All people travelling from Ebola-affected nations in West Africa to the United States will be restricted to landing in five major airports, the Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday. Health screening will also be increased. The security measures take effect Wednesday.
Currently, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Customs and Border Protection inspects travellers arriving from Ebola-affected nations for possible disease exposure. The security measures were initiated earlier this month, and include checking for fever and asking questions about possible Ebola exposure.
Wednesday, travellers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea will be subject to enhanced screening measures and will be allowed entry into the states through only five US airports–Chicago, Atlanta, Dulles, Newark and New York’s JFK.
The five airports have enhanced screening and additional resources in place, according to DHS.
The five airports account for 94 percent of travellers coming from the affected countries, and there are currently no direct, non-stop commercial flights from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea to the US.
On average, around 150 people arrive in the US from the three countries.
DHS said that it was working with airlines to implement the new restrictions with minimal travel disruption.
The DHS is in the process of increasing Ebola security measures in the US. “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,” stated the DHS. “We are continually evaluating whether additional restrictions or added screening and precautionary measures are necessary to protect the American people and will act accordingly.”
By Daniel Jackson