The United States has announced new temporary travel restrictions after a recent Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. The move affects some foreign nationals who have recently travelled through three countries linked to the outbreak.

According to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the order will stay in place for 30 days while health officials monitor the situation.

Who Is Affected by the New US Travel Restriction?

The temporary suspension applies to foreign nationals who have been in any of these countries during the past 21 days:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Uganda
• South Sudan

The rule applies no matter where the traveller is originally from. Even if someone is not a citizen of these countries, they may still be affected if they recently travelled there.

The CDC said the decision was taken because of concerns that Ebola could spread internationally through travel.

Who Can Still Enter the United States?

The restrictions do not apply to everyone. Several groups are exempt from the order, including:

• U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals.
• U.S. green card holders.
• U.S. military members and certain U.S. government staff working overseas.
• Immediate family members of eligible government personnel, in some cases.
• Travellers granted special exceptions by U.S. authorities for humanitarian, public health, law enforcement, or safety reasons.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), together with the CDC, can also approve additional exemptions on a case-by-case basis.

Why the US Introduced These Ebola Travel Measures

The CDC said the order was issued under federal public health laws that allow the U.S. government to temporarily suspend entry when a dangerous infectious disease could pose a serious risk to public health in the country.

Ebola is a severe viral disease that spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. Past outbreaks have led to strict border controls and health screenings in several countries.

US officials believe the temporary entry suspension could help reduce the risk of the disease entering the country while health agencies respond to the outbreak in Africa.

Restrictions Will Be Reviewed After 30 Days

For now, the suspension is expected to remain in place for 30 days. At the end of that period, the CDC will review the public health situation and decide whether the restrictions should continue, be updated, or end completely.

What Travellers Should Know

Travellers planning trips involving Central or East Africa should check the latest entry rules before booking flights or transit routes.

People who have recently visited the affected countries may face additional screening, delays, or entry restrictions when travelling internationally, especially to the United States.

Airlines may also ask passengers about their recent travel history before boarding.