The Trump administration has called on European nations to follow Washington’s lead and impose travel restrictions on people who have recently been in Central African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak, in hopes of avoiding the spread of the virus during the World Cup.
In a publication on Tuesday, Reuters cited sources and officials on the matter. According to the report, the United States, on June 1, issued a demarche, a formal diplomatic statement of concern, urging European countries to implement travel restrictions related to the outbreak, but a European Union diplomat based in Africa said EU states had not responded.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month issued an order barring noncitizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days from entering the United States, while Americans were told to go through select airports for screenings. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Ebola must not be allowed to enter the United States, and the administration’s efforts have focused on keeping anyone potentially exposed to the virus overseas.
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A State Department official said the travel restrictions, combined with funding pledges for the Ebola response, showed Washington had stepped up to protect Americans from the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. The official added that other countries must do their part to ensure this outbreak does not spread further, including financial contributions and implementing commonsense restrictions on travel from the affected area, and that the US is engaging diplomatically with countries around the world to coordinate the approach to protect citizens, including millions of visitors, fans, athletes, and tourists expected during the FIFA World Cup.
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