The United States is asking Belgium to impose an entry ban on Congolese people.
No cases of Ebola have yet been reported in the United States, but Washington fears that the imminent influx of millions of fans during the World Cup could change the situation.
The United States has asked Belgium, through Ambassador Bill White, to impose a ban on Congolese nationals entering the country as part of the fight against the Ebola epidemic, De Morgen and Het Laatste Nieuws reported on Wednesday .
American diplomats stationed in Europe have confirmed they received instructions from Washington to warn their host countries. During the World Cup in the United States, these countries are expected to adopt strict U.S. travel restrictions related to Ebola. In the absence of such measures, the U.S. administration is reportedly considering imposing entry bans on European countries.
The Belgian federal government has received a request of this nature from Ambassador Bill White, De Morgen has learned . Belgians returning from African countries affected by the pandemic should also observe a quarantine. Public Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) does not wish to respond to this request at this time and continues to follow the measures of the World Health Organization (WHO), the newspaper reports.
No cases of Ebola have yet been reported in the United States, but Washington fears that the imminent influx of millions of fans during the World Cup could change the situation. Since mid-May, travelers returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda who are not American citizens or permanent residents have been barred from entering the United States.
