- Saudi Arabia has announced an entry ban affecting travellers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan amid concerns about Ebola
- The restrictions also cover people who have stayed in any of the three countries within the 21 days before their planned arrival in Saudi Arabia, even if they travel through another country
- Travellers from Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Republic of the Congo face enhanced health screening, while France has reported an Ebola case involving a doctor who returned from the DRC
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Saudi Arabia has imposed travel restrictions on three African countries as authorities strengthen measures to prevent the spread of Ebola, according to reports citing the Kingdom's Public Health Authority, known as Weqaya.
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The affected countries are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the restrictions were introduced as a precautionary public health measure amid concerns about Ebola cases in parts of Africa.
The ban has no announced end date and will remain in effect until further notice, according to the report.
The measures extend beyond travellers arriving directly from the three countries.
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They also cover individuals who have stayed in any of them during the 21 days before their planned arrival in Saudi Arabia, even if they subsequently travelled through a third country.
Saudi Arabia introduces enhanced screening for four other African countries
According to Arab News, Weqaya has reportedly introduced stricter health screening for travellers arriving from Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville.
Travellers from these four countries are subject to health checks at border entry points and additional disease-surveillance procedures.
Unlike the restrictions affecting the first three countries, these measures involve enhanced screening rather than a reported blanket entry ban.
According to the report, Saudi authorities said the Kingdom had not recorded an Ebola case since 2019.
Ebola outbreak raises international concern
Ebola is a severe viral disease that can cause serious illness and death. It was first identified in 1976, and outbreaks have since occurred in several African countries.
The World Health Organization estimates that the average Ebola case fatality rate is around 50%, although the rate varies between outbreaks.
Concern about the disease has also spread beyond Africa. According to the supplied report, French health authorities confirmed the country's first Ebola case after a doctor who had undertaken humanitarian work in the Democratic Republic of Congo returned to France and tested positive.
The doctor was subsequently transferred to a specialized quarantine facility for treatment.
What travellers should know
People planning to travel to Saudi Arabia should confirm the latest entry requirements with Saudi authorities, their airline or the relevant Saudi embassy before departure.
Travellers who have recently visited any of the affected countries should also check whether the restrictions or additional health-screening requirements apply to their circumstances.
Because public health measures can change as outbreaks develop, travellers should rely on current official announcements rather than assume that an existing visa or flight booking guarantees entry.
Source: Legit.ng