The Trump administration has urged European countries to follow Washington’s lead and impose travel restrictions on people who have recently been in Central African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak, in the hope of preventing the spread of the virus during the World Cup, sources and officials revealed on Tuesday (9).
On June 1, the United States (US) issued a demarche calling on European countries to implement travel restrictions related to the outbreak, according to a European Union (EU) diplomat stationed in Africa and a second source familiar with the matter. According to the diplomat, EU member states have not yet responded, Reuters reported.
Last month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a directive prohibiting non-U.S. citizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days from entering the country. U.S. citizens have been instructed to enter through specific airports to undergo screening.
Senator Marco Rubio stated that Ebola must not be allowed to enter the United States and that the administration’s efforts have focused on preventing anyone potentially exposed to the virus from traveling to the country, even though the U.S. has facilities capable of treating Ebola cases while containing the spread of the disease.
A State Department official stated that the travel restrictions, along with the financial commitments made by the U.S. to respond to the outbreak, demonstrate that Washington has intensified its efforts to protect Americans from the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern.
Washington Calls for Global Action
“Other countries must do their part to ensure this outbreak does not spread further. Action is needed now. This includes financial contributions and the implementation of sensible travel restrictions from affected areas,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“We are engaging in diplomatic contacts with countries around the world to coordinate our approach to protecting citizens, including the millions of visitors, fans, athletes, and tourists expected during the FIFA World Cup.”
The official did not respond to questions about the formal request sent to European countries, which was first reported by Axios.
The Trump administration, which has faced criticism for shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and cutting foreign aid funding prior to the outbreak, claims to have already sent 150 tons of medical supplies and pledged more than $200 million directly to the affected countries, making it the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response.
