As the number of confirmed and suspected cases of Ebola in the United States increases, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, has called for a visa ban on travel from the three Ebola-affected countries in West Africa: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

     “It is the duty of U.S. government officials to protect U.S. citizens and ensure their health, welfare and well-being.  That must be our first priority,” Smith said.  “If the U.S. military is establishing an air bridge to Liberia as a major part of its role in combating the West African Ebola epidemic, then either military or charter flights could sufficiently ensure that volunteers could be evacuated in a timely manner when necessary and supplies can be transported.”

     There are no longer any direct flights to and from the three countries to the United States.  Currently, only Air France, Royal Air Maroc and Brussels Airlines fly to there.  Additionally, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire closed their borders to the affected countries, and an increasing number of other countries have ended air flights to and from the three countries.

    The visa ban called for by Smith and other members of Congress would affect only non-American travelers from the three countries and would exempt volunteers helping in the international response.  U.S. citizens in the three countries would not be prevented from returning to the United States, but could be isolated if they demonstrated symptoms of the disease.  Meanwhile, the more robust screening of visitors at airports in New Jersey, New York, Washington, Chicago and Atlanta should continue.

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