Ebola: Limit on non-essential travel
Updated 22 Aug 2014 @ 09:32
South Africa has imposed a non-essential travel ban for all non-citizens travelling from identified high risk countries to limit the spread of Ebola to the country.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi also said that South African citizens who wish to travel to these countries will be requested to delay their travel unless it is also absolutely essential for them to do so.
The high-risk countries have been identified as Guinea; Sierra Leone; and Liberia. Nigeria; Kenya; and Ethiopia have been identified as medium risk countries.
Additionally, South African citizens returning from these countries will be subjected to stricter screening processes, including completing a comprehensive health questionnaire before gaining entry back into the country. If said questionnaire and a temperature reading raise suspicions, travellers will be subjected to a complete medical examination at designated hospitals.
The travel advisory is part of enhanced precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Ebola into South Africa.
Passengers who travelled from or through Guinea; Liberia; or Sierra Leone within the last month of arrival into South Arica must undergo additional screening at points of entry.
The following information has been highlighted for travellers heading to one of the high-risk countries:
- Practice careful hygiene. Avoid contact with blood and body fluids of sick persons.
- Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids.
- Avoid funeral or burial rituals that require handling the body of someone who has died from Ebola.
- Avoid contact with wild animals or with bush meat.
- Avoid hospitals where Ebola patients are being treated.
- The South African Embassy or consulate is often able to provide advice on facilities that are suitable for your needs.
- Seek medical care immediately if you develop fever; headache; achiness; sore throat; diarrhoea; vomiting; stomach pain; rash; or red eyes.
- Limit your contact with other people when you travel to the doctor. Do not travel anywhere else.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi also said that South African citizens who wish to travel to these countries will be requested to delay their travel unless it is also absolutely essential for them to do so.
The high-risk countries have been identified as Guinea; Sierra Leone; and Liberia. Nigeria; Kenya; and Ethiopia have been identified as medium risk countries.
Additionally, South African citizens returning from these countries will be subjected to stricter screening processes, including completing a comprehensive health questionnaire before gaining entry back into the country. If said questionnaire and a temperature reading raise suspicions, travellers will be subjected to a complete medical examination at designated hospitals.
The travel advisory is part of enhanced precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Ebola into South Africa.
Passengers who travelled from or through Guinea; Liberia; or Sierra Leone within the last month of arrival into South Arica must undergo additional screening at points of entry.
The following information has been highlighted for travellers heading to one of the high-risk countries:
- Practice careful hygiene. Avoid contact with blood and body fluids of sick persons.
- Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids.
- Avoid funeral or burial rituals that require handling the body of someone who has died from Ebola.
- Avoid contact with wild animals or with bush meat.
- Avoid hospitals where Ebola patients are being treated.
- The South African Embassy or consulate is often able to provide advice on facilities that are suitable for your needs.
- Seek medical care immediately if you develop fever; headache; achiness; sore throat; diarrhoea; vomiting; stomach pain; rash; or red eyes.
- Limit your contact with other people when you travel to the doctor. Do not travel anywhere else.
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