The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday imposed new travel restrictions and enhanced screening measures for travelers from parts of Central and East Africa as health officials race to contain a growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The CDC said it is invoking a Title 42 public health order to temporarily suspend entry for some non-U.S. travelers who have recently been in Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan, while increasing monitoring for others arriving from the region.U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents will still be allowed to enter, but may face additional health screening requirements. The agency said the measures are intended to prevent Ebola from entering the United States as cases rise in Central Africa.
Non-U.S. passport holders are restricted from entering the country if they have been in Uganda, Congo, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days. The CDC said it is coordinating with airlines, international partners, and port-of-entry officials to identify and manage travelers who may have been exposed to the virus.
Additionally, the CDC said it will enhance port health protection response activities, contact tracing, laboratory testing capacity, and hospital readiness nationwide, as well as continue to deploy CDC personnel to support containment efforts in affected regions.
