Belgium rejects US World Cup demand for Congo travel ban amid Ebola outbreak
politico.eu • • nation
Key Points:
- Belgium has rejected the U.S. demand to impose an entry ban on travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, opting instead to follow scientific advice and focus on screening and controls at departure points.
- Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke emphasized that Belgium will quarantine symptomatic arrivals and has prepared hospitals for potential Ebola patients, rejecting political pressure from Washington.
- The U.S. has urged European countries to adopt strict travel restrictions similar to its own, warning that failure to comply could lead to U.S. entry bans on those countries.
- Vandenbroucke criticized the U.S. administration for scaling back development cooperation and medical aid, which he claims has undermined the international Ebola response, a charge denied by Washington.
- The Ebola outbreak in the DRC has escalated, with nearly 600 confirmed cases, prompting the WHO to declare a global health emergency in May, while the U.S. prioritizes preventing the virus from reaching American soil ahead of the World Cup.