0 min left

Flyers Entering US from W. Africa Must Arrive at 1 of 5 Airports & Will Be Monitored for 21 Days

Travelers entering the U.S. from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea must now land at one of five airports able to conduct enhanced screenings for Ebola.

In an effort to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus, five U.S. airports have been selected to handle all traffic of flights originating in West Africa in order to conduct enhanced screenings.

In a Tuesday announcement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that beginning on Wednesday, travelers from Ebola-affected countries will be restricted to landing at one of five airports carrying out enhanced screenings — John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Travelers on these flights will be subject to enhanced screenings, which may include questioning about possible Ebola exposure or the taking of their temperature.

Although certain legislators have sought greater restrictions, going so far as to suggest suspending or denying visas, or completely denying entry to all citizens of the affected countries, Secretary of Homeland Security Jed Johnson said, “We are working closely with the airlines to implement these restrictions with minimal travel disruption.”

In related news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a new program on Wednesday that will go into effect on October 27 in six states and soon expand nationally. The new program entails specifically monitoring the health of all travelers who enter the U.S. from West Africa. Director of the CDC Thomas Frieden said all passengers from Ebola-affected nations will be subject to a 21-day monitoring period, which is the virus’ period of incubation.

“If someone is ill, they will be isolated,” Frieden explained. “Anyone at high risk for Ebola — such as if they were in direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone with Ebola — will be quarantined, even if they have no symptoms.”

[Photo: iStock]

Comments are Closed.
3 Comments
N
nalismom October 24, 2014

And what does the passenger do about the stamps in their passport????

D
dogcanyon October 23, 2014

"“Anyone at high risk for Ebola — such as if they were in direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone with Ebola — will be quarantined, even if they have no symptoms.” What a ridiculous, idiotic statement. The only way this can possibly be known is if the traveler CHOOSES to tell the authorities. As far as the "enhanced screenings" from affected countries, all travelers have to do is buy 2 separate tickets (one Africa-Europe and one Europe-USA) and just "forget" to list the countries recently visited on the Immigration form. This is nothing but a pointless "Look - we're doing something" show from the US Government.

I
Indelaware October 23, 2014

Another case of hysteria driving public policy rather than science. How sad.