Anticipate travel disruption due to Ebola-related flight bans, health screening measures

The authorities in several countries have implemented entry restrictions to curtail the spread of Ebola from
countries that have Ebola cases, while air carriers have restricted flights or modified schedules. Flights serving
destinations inside and outside Africa may also be subject to diversion or delay with little or no warning in order
to quarantine passengers suspected or claiming to be exhibiting Ebola-like symptoms.
Underlining the potential for such disruption, an Air France flight from Paris (France) to Madrid (Spain) on 16
October was grounded in the Spanish capital after a passenger who had travelled from Nigeria complained of
feeling unwell. The passenger was subsequently quarantined in a local hospital. Earlier, a US Airways flight from
Philadelphia (US) on 8 October was halted on arrival in the Dominican Republic after a passenger falsely claimed
that he had contracted Ebola. The aircraft was then inspected by health officials, causing a delay of several hours.
Health screening has also been implemented at ports of entry and departure in various countries throughout
West Africa and is being introduced in Europe and North America countries as well. Specific details of restrictions
such as those listed below are difficult to verify and subject to change, while the implementation of state-imposed
entry conditions can vary. Similarly, flight schedules may change at short notice.
Travellers departing from countries affected by an outbreak of Ebola should seek itinerary-specific guidance from
the relevant authorities on screening procedures and documentation requirements. They should also reconfirm
the status of flights before setting out and allow additional time during arrival and departure to pass through
enhanced medical screening.
Travel Briefing
Entry restrictions
Africa
Cameroon on 17 September reopened its borders to travellers from Senegal. An 18 August ban
remains in place on travel from Nigeria, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Cape Verde on 9 October announced that it would now deny entry to non-resident foreigners coming
from countries with intense Ebola transmission' Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia - or who have been
to those countries in the previous 30 days.
Chad on 21 August closed its land border with Nigeria at Lake Chad. The country previously reportedly
banned the entry of any travellers originating or transiting through Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria or Sierra
Leone, with airlines serving the country reportedly rerouting flights.
Cte d'Ivoire in early October reopened its borders with Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, having
closed the borders of 23 August.
Equatorial Guinea is denying entry to travellers whose journeys originated in countries affected by
Ebola.
Gabon stated on 22 August that it is restricting the issuance of entry visas to travellers from Guinea,
Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria on a case-by-case basis.
Gambia on 1 September suspended entry of persons who have visited Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone or
Nigeria in the 21 days prior to travel. Those travelling indirectly from any of the aforementioned
countries to Gambia via another country also come under this measure.
Kenya on 10 October announced that it had closed the Suam border crossing (Trans-Nzoia county) with
Uganda due to reports of an Ebola-related death in Bukwo district (Uganda). Earlier, the Kenyan
authorities on 19 August suspended entry of passengers travelling from and through Guinea, Liberia
and Sierra Leone, excluding health professionals supporting efforts to contain the outbreak and Kenyan
citizens.
Mauritania on 25 October closed its border with neighbouring Mali after an Ebola-related death in the
border town of Kayes (Mali).
Mauritius on 8 October banned entry to all travellers who have visited Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea,
Liberia, Senegal and Congo (DRC) in the last two months, rather than just citizens of those countries,
as was the case previously. The authorities have announced that entry restrictions for travellers from
Senegal and Nigeria will be lifted on 10 October and 17 October respectively, if no further cases of
Ebola infection are reported.
Namibia's foreign ministry on 11 September announced that foreigners travelling from countries
affected by Ebola would be prohibited from entering the country.
Rwanda, according to the US Department of State on 22 August, has banned entry to travellers who
have visited Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone in the 22 days prior to travel.
Senegal on 21 August closed its land border with Guinea, while the country's sea and air borders will
also be closed to vessels and aircraft from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Seychelles on 8 October suspended entry to travellers who have visited Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea-
Bissau, Guinea, Nigeria or Congo (DRC) 28 days prior to their journey, with the exception of Seychellois
citizens.
Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states Angola, Botswana, Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South
Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe have stated that travellers coming from Ebola-
affected countries (according to the World Health Organisation, WHO) would be monitored for 21 days
and that travel to member countries for any gatherings would be discouraged. The SADC provided no
details as to how member countries will carry out the associated screening and follow-up and it is likely
that countries will have individual processes. There are also reports that some countries require health
documentation for entry.Travellers are advised to contact the embassy or health ministry of
their destination country to clarify their individual circumstances and prepare their trips
accordingly.
South Africa on 21 August restricted entry for all non-citizens travelling from Guinea, Liberia and
Sierra Leone. The government subsequently clarified that this was not a blanket ban and could be
waived for 'absolutely essential travel'.
South Sudan has placed a ban on travellers coming from Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia or Congo
(DRC), or those who have travelled to those countries in the preceding 21 days. According to the health
ministry, entry of travellers from Nigeria depends on their travel history in that country and whether
they have visited Ebola-affected areas.
Americas
Antigua and Barbuda on 17 October imposed an entry ban on nationals of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra
Leone. The ban will also apply on anyone who travels to the country within 21 days of visiting any of
the aforementioned nations.
Belize announced on 18 October that it will stop issuing visas for nationals of Guinea, Liberia and
Nigeria. Sierra Leone nationals, who do not need visas to enter Belize, will also be banned. In addition,
travellers who have visited any of the aforementioned countries in the past 30 days will be prohibited
from entering the country.
Colombia imposed an entry ban from 14 October on any traveller who has visited Guinea, Liberia,
Nigeria, Senegal or Sierra Leone in the past four weeks. The restriction would also reportedly apply to
Colombian nationals.
The Dominican Republic has banned entry to travellers who have been in the following countries in
the past 30 days: Sierra Leone, Senegal, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria, as well as any countries that the
World Health Organization has deemed to be affected by the Ebola virus.
Guyana announced on 16 October that visas will not be issued to nationals from Guinea, Liberia, Sierra
Leone and Nigeria. Furthermore, health officials will screen travellers who have visited these countries
in the six weeks prior to their arrival in Guyana.
Haiti has banned (PDF) entry to travellers who have been to Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone in the past
28 days. Travellers who have been to these countries more than 28 days before travel to Haiti must
present a government-certified health certificate and the results of a blood test for the Ebola virus upon
arrival. It is uncertain at this time how these measures will be carried out or enforced. International
SOS is monitoring the situation.
Jamaica imposed an entry ban from 16 October for travellers arriving from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra
Leone, as well as those who have visited these countries within the four weeks prior to their arrival. In
addition, any Jamaican national who travels to the aforementioned countries will be quarantined for 28
days on return.
Panama on 22 October banned the entry of travellers who have visited Guinea, Liberia and Sierra
Leone in the past 21 days. The ban will remain in place until the three countries are declared Ebola-
free.
St Kitts and Nevis have restricted the entry of nationals from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Similar measures will also be applied to travellers who have visited these countries in the 21 days prior
to arrival.
St Lucia has banned visitors from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The government has also
announced that, in addition to a visa, visitors from Nigeria will be required to present a recent medical
certificate clearing them of the virus. No further details are available at this stage, though we are
investigating further.
St Vincent and the Grenadines has banned visitors from Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Suriname has banned entry to foreign travellers who have been to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in
the past 21 days, unless they can present an internationally recognised health certificate clearing them
of the virus. No further details are available at this time.
Trinidad and Tobago announced on 16 October that it would deny entry to nationals of Congo (DRC),
Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. In addition, travellers who have visited any of the
aforementioned countries in the past six weeks will be quarantined for 21 days upon arrival.
The United States announced that beginning 22 October, any passengers beginning their travels in
Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea will only be able to enter the country through the following airports: JFK
International Airport (JFK, New York state), Newark International Airport (EWR, New Jersey), Dulles
International Airport (IAD, Washington, DC), Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL, Georgia) or
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD, Illinois).
Others
North Korea has banned foreign tourists since 24 October over fears of ebola; the ban applies to all
entry points and border crossings.
Flights and other transport
Countries that have implemented Ebola-related travel restrictions:
Cameroon has banned flights to and from Nigeria. Chad has suspended all flights from Nigeria.
Cte d'Ivoire has now lifted the ban on passenger flights from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Gabon has banned the entry of flights and ships from countries affected by Ebola.
Gambia has banned the entry of flights from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Nigeria has suspended flights to the country operated by Gambian national carrier Gambia Bird.
Senegal has banned flights from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Details of airlines that have restricted flights to Ebola-affected countries:
Air France suspended flights to Sierra Leone from 28 August.
The Togo-based carrier Asky Airlines has suspended flights to and from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra
Leone.
Arik Air (Nigeria), Gambia Bird and Kenya Airways have suspended services to Liberia and Sierra
Leone.
British Airways has extended their suspension of flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone until 31
December.
Emirates Airlines has suspended flights to Guinea.
Korean Air suspended flights to and from Kenya from 20 August.
Senegal Airlines has suspended flights to and from Conakry (Guinea) until further notice.
Other airlines have modified their routes but are still operating regular scheduled services. These include:
Royal Air Maroc
Brussels Airlines.
Medical screening
Entry and exit health screening is now in place in numerous countries throughout West Africa and is being
introduced in Europe and North America countries as well; related measures can include the partial closure of
land borders, ports and river crossings in an effort to restrict cross-border travel. Members should allow
additional time to pass through medical screening and not travel if they are sick. Staff should continue to monitor
local media and this website for developments.
Travel Advice Summary
Defer non-essential travel to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Travellers flying from countries affected by Ebola should enquire with the relevant embassies or health
ministries about any requirements conditioning entry at their destination, and prepare accordingly.
Reconfirm bookings on all regional routes as increased demand is likely. We do not hold information on
specific flights.
If your flight is disrupted because of suspected Ebola cases, contact the Assistance Centre for additional
advice and support with onward travel.
Allow additional time during arrival and departure to pass through enhanced medical screening.
Do not travel if you are sick. Persons with fever or other Ebola-like symptoms may be taken to
designated centres or have entry/exit denied.













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