Stopping short of a complete travel ban of flights from West Africa, the US will restrict all passengers originating from the Ebola-hit nations to pass through one of the five gateway airports operating comprehensive screening for the virus.
These restrictions placed on passengers from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea take effect from today, the US Department of Homeland Security said.
Inbound travelers will undergo temperature checks for signs of a fever that could point to Ebola infection at New York JFK, Newark, Washington Dulles, Atlanta, and Chicago O’Hare international airport.
"We are working closely with the airlines to implement these restrictions with minimal travel disruption," said Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson.
"We currently have in place measures to identify and screen anyone at all land, sea and airports of entry into the United States who we have reason to believe has been present in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea in the preceding 21 days," Johnson said.
Johnson added that over 90% of travelers originating from the affected region pass through these airports and there are no nonstop direct flights to the US from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea.
Aviation industry group Airlines for America said its member airlines, which include Delta, United Airlines and American Airlines, are ‘cooperating fully’ to reroute any passengers through the five airports.
Airlines for America praised the latest move by the Obama administration and reiterated its opposition against a complete travel ban.
"We agree with the White House that discussions of flight bans are not necessary and actually impede efforts to stop the disease in its tracks in West Africa," said A4A’s Vaughn Jennings.
