South Africa’s stepped into line with a number of its continental,partners by closing its borders to travelers from the three West African nations worst hit by the Ebola virus.
Government spokesman Jo Maile says South Africa’s entry ban on anyone coming in from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea will be in place for as long as necessary. They’re have been no cases of Ebola since the outbreak, responsible for nearly 1 500 deaths, earlier this year.
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Speaking for the Health Ministry, Jo Maila says South Africans returning from
Ebola infected countries will be allowed back home but they’ll undergo extensive medical tests .
The ministry’s asking South Africans to postpone trips to the infected countries indefinitely.
Those insisting on heading there will be officially quizzed about the necessity of their travel.
South Africa’s outright ban follows similar steps by Kenya and Zambia last week. Several African nations have restricted air travel to and from the three countries.
The World Health Organization has urged airlines and countries to avoid isolating Ebola-hit countries.
The WHO says Ebola isn’t contagious until symptoms appear.
Contracting the disease during air travel is extremely unlikely.
Blanket bans and flight restrictions threaten fragile economies.
Maila says South Africa’s made its own call based on its own assessment.
There have been no cases of the disease in South Africa since the outbreak with a death toll approaching 1 500 began earlier this year.