African Union calls for travel ban

(Baonghean.vn) - Faced with the increasingly complicated Ebola epidemic and signs of spreading to other countries, after a meeting, the African Union decided to encourage member countries to implement travel bans.

The African Union (AU) met in Addis Ababa on Monday to develop a continent-wide strategy to combat the Ebola outbreak. The AU has called on all African countries to impose increased travel restrictions to combat the disease.

“The members of the African Commission decided to call on all member states to enhance the forms of travel bans between countries, for business or economic development activities,” said Ms. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the AU Commission.

Many airlines suspend flights to epidemic areas / Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard.

“It is important to stress that if the travel ban is lifted, appropriate monitoring mechanisms need to be put in place at immigration areas at airports, borders and ports,” Ms Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma added.

According to the WHO, nearly 4,000 people have been infected with Ebola since the beginning of the year, of which more than 2,000 have died. The three countries most affected are Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. According to WHO predictions, these three countries will have thousands of new cases in the next 3 weeks. Deaths have also been reported in Nigeria and one case has been confirmed in Senegal.

Many neighboring countries have closed their borders to countries with epidemics and imposed entry bans on travelers from those countries. Many airlines have also suspended flights to epidemic areas.

Ms Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma called for a united, comprehensive and collective response across Africa, while also stressing the importance of fighting the marginalisation and stigmatisation of victims, communities and affected countries.

The AU Commission Chairperson added that the Commission will take care to ensure that these measures do not have a major socio-economic impact in the affected countries. It is understood that the Commission will also provide appropriate support measures for the agricultural sector and continue to provide assistance to traders.

Chu Thanh