Belgium Rejects U.S. Demand for Congo Travel Ban Ahead of World Cup
Belgium's health minister rejected a U.S. demand to impose entry bans on travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo before the World Cup, citing scientific guidance instead. The U.S. sought the restrictions to prevent Ebola spread during the tournament, which begins Thursday in North America. Belgium said it would maintain screening and quarantine protocols rather than implement blanket travel bans.
Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke on Wednesday rejected U.S. pressure to impose strict entry restrictions on Congolese travelers ahead of the World Cup, stating that Belgium would follow scientific advice from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control rather than unilateral demands. The United States had requested participating countries implement travel bans related to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, threatening to deny entry to citizens of countries that refused compliance. Belgium instead emphasized its existing screening procedures at departure points in affected countries and its capacity to quarantine symptomatic arrivals at prepared hospitals. Vandenbroucke also criticized the U.S. response to the crisis, arguing that reduced American development cooperation and medical aid had contributed to the outbreak's severity. The World Health Organization declared a global health emergency over the Ebola outbreak in May, with DRC authorities reporting nearly 600 confirmed cases as of Tuesday.
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- UPICenter
Belgium denies U.S. demand for Congo travel ban before World Cup
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