Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom has said South Africa has taken the necessary steps to protect the country from the Ebola epidemic that has killed over 1 200 people across West African countries Liberia; Guinea; Sierra Leone; and Nigeria.
Last week, SA’s ministry of health instituted a travel ban for citizens from Ebola high risk countries and advised all South Africans to limit non-essential travel to the region.
Hanekom also highlighted strict screening measures in place at all ports of entry, emphasising the country’s readiness to deal with any Ebola case that reaches its shores.
South African Airways (SAA) said last week it would uphold the decision to ban all citizens from Ebola-infected countries but will continue to service West African routes including, Benin; Ghana; Ivory Coast; Nigeria; and Senegal.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday it had shut a laboratory in Sierra Leone after a health worker there was infected with Ebola, a move that may hamper efforts to boost the global response to the worst-ever outbreak of the disease.
Nigeria's health minister said on Tuesday that his country had "thus far contained" the outbreak.
Meanwhile, Chad has reportedly cancelled all incoming flights from or via countries affected by Ebola, including Nigeria, as a preventative measure against the spread of Ebola to the country. Chad has also cancelled all flights from or via Ghana.
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