By Ukumbi Afrika Abuja– Governments across the world have tightened travel restrictions, strengthened border screening and introduced quarantine measures following the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The WHO on May 17 warned that the outbreak poses a high risk of spreading to neighbouring countries, prompting authorities to implement precautionary measures aimed at limiting cross-border transmission while maintaining essential travel and trade.
Travel Restrictions
United States
The United States announced on July 13 that American citizens currently in the DRC would not be allowed to return on commercial flights until they had spent at least 21 days in a third country. Recent travellers have also been placed on a "do-not-board" list.
Washington has further barred entry for non-U.S. citizens who have recently travelled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan.
Canada
Canada imposed a 90-day entry ban on travellers from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, effective from May 27.
Jordan
Jordan suspended entry for travellers arriving from the DRC and Uganda as part of its disease containment measures.
Bahrain
Bahrain temporarily suspended, for 30 days, the entry of foreign travellers arriving from South Sudan, the DRC and Uganda.
Enhanced Screening And Quarantine
India
India has strengthened health screening and surveillance at airports and other points of entry, while advising its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan.
Thailand
Thailand now requires travellers arriving from the DRC and Uganda to enter only through Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport for health screening.
Passengers without symptoms are subject to a 21-day quarantine, while those displaying Ebola-related symptoms are placed in isolation for at least 21 days.
Kenya
Kenya has intensified screening of travellers at high-risk border crossings and airports as part of efforts to prevent imported infections.
Zambia
Zambia has also increased surveillance and screening measures despite ruling out two suspected Ebola cases.
Europe Resists Additional Border Restrictions
The European Union has maintained that mandatory entry screening for passengers arriving from the DRC and Uganda is unnecessary, citing a low public health risk.
The position contrasts with calls from the United States urging European governments to introduce stricter travel restrictions to reduce the risk of international spread during major global events, including the FIFA World Cup.
The European Commission said current scientific evidence does not justify additional border measures.
Airlines Adjust Operations
Dutch carrier KLM suspended flights to and from Uganda's Entebbe International Airport after travel restrictions disrupted operational requirements for flight crews.
Brussels Airlines said the outbreak had not affected its flight schedule but confirmed adjustments to long-haul crew rosters because crew members who had recently travelled to the DRC or Uganda would be denied entry into the United States.
The latest measures highlight the growing challenge governments face in balancing disease prevention with international travel and trade. While African countries have largely focused on enhanced surveillance and border screening, several nations outside the continent have opted for stricter travel restrictions, reflecting differing approaches to managing global health emergencies.
The outbreak also underscores the importance of regional cooperation, rapid disease surveillance and strengthened public health systems in containing infectious diseases before they spread across borders.
Source: Reuters
Writers: Mirko Miorelli, Alexander Klyve Gudbrandsen &Arda Dipova
Editing: Matt Scuffham& Milla Nissi-Prussak