The U.S., Mexico and Canada announced Ebola-related travel measures for World Cup travelers after a WHO emergency declaration over the Congo outbreak.
The United States, Mexico and Canada announced coordinated Ebola-related travel measures Thursday for people arriving from African regions considered at highest risk, adding public-health controls shortly before North America hosts the World Cup.
The move follows the World Health Organization’s May 17 declaration that an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a public health emergency of international concern. The WHO said there was a high risk the outbreak could spread to neighboring countries, prompting governments to tighten travel-related containment measures.
“The health and safety of every person in the region remains our highest priority as we welcome the world to North America,” the three countries said in a joint statement. The statement did not spell out the aligned measures, and the specific rules announced so far differ by country.
In the United States, Washington last week barred noncitizens who had recently traveled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan from entering the country. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention later extended the ban to green card holders who had been in those countries during the previous 21 days.
Canada has imposed a 90-day entry ban on residents from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, with the restriction beginning Wednesday. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and other foreign nationals who have recently been in affected areas and do not have symptoms will be required to quarantine for 21 days starting Saturday, according to Canada’s Public Health Agency.
Mexico has also moved to strengthen controls. Health Secretary David Kershenovich outlined tighter Ebola screening at airports on Monday, urged the public to avoid travel to the DRC and asked arrivals from the country to observe a 21-day quarantine.
The announcements underscore the public-health challenge facing the three World Cup hosts as they prepare for large international travel flows. What remains unclear is how the countries will apply the joint approach across borders and whether additional details will be released before the tournament begins next month.
Comments (0)