US plans to bar its citizens in Congo from flying home directly amid Ebola outbreak
The US government has implemented a 'do-not-board' policy for citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to a worsening Ebola outbreak. Travelers must now spend 21 days in a third country before being permitted to fly to the United States.
Why it matters
This represents a significant public health intervention that restricts the movement of citizens to prevent the spread of a lethal virus.
The Trump administration on Monday announced that US citizens currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will not be allowed to travel directly to the United States on commercial flights due to the country's worsening Ebola outbreak.According to a White House official, the restriction has been imposed under a transportation authority known as Title 49. Americans in Congo, or those who have recently left the country, will be placed on a "do-not-board" list until they have spent at least 21 days in a third country before traveling to the US.Around two dozen Americans were expected to board flights to the US on Tuesday after traveling to Congo.
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