Travel From Ebola-Affected Countries Restricted To Five Airports, Including Dulles

By Tom Davis, Patch Staff

All passengers traveling from Ebola-affected countries will be required to fly into one of the five airports -- including Dulles Washington International — that have the enhanced screening and additional resources in place, the Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday.

Jeh Johnson, homeland security secretary, announced in a press release that the restrictions will begin Wednesday, impacting travelers arriving in the United States whose travel originates in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea.

Enhanced screening measures have been established at five airports around the country – Dulles, New York’s JFK, Newark, Atlanta and Chicago.

Passengers flying into one of these airports from flights originating in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea are subject to secondary screening and added protocols, including having their temperature taken, before they can be admitted into the United States, Johnson said.

These airports account for about 94 percent of travelers flying to the United States from these countries. Currently, there are no direct, non-stop commercial flights from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea to any airport in the United States, Johnson said.

“We are working closely with the airlines to implement these restrictions with minimal travel disruption,” Johnson said. “If not already handled by the airlines, the few impacted travelers should contact the airlines for rebooking, as needed.”

The DHS currently has measures in place to identify and screen anyone at all land, sea and air ports of entry into the United States who officials have reason to believe has been present in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea in the preceding 21 days, Johnson said..

“We are continually evaluating whether additional restrictions or added screening and precautionary measures are necessary to protect the American people and will act accordingly,” Johnson said.

»PHOTO of Dulles Washington International Airport from Patch archive