Federal officers are increasing Ebola-related journey restrictions to incorporate Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as a part of a broader effort to watch vacationers arriving from elements of Central and East Africa amid an ongoing outbreak abroad.
According to a discover from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, worldwide flights carrying passengers who’ve just lately traveled by means of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan will now be permitted to reach at Atlanta’s airport starting Friday evening.
The change comes after the Department of Homeland Security initially directed these flights to land solely at Washington Dulles International Airport, the place the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had concentrated enhanced screening and public well being assets.
Under the up to date order, Hartsfield-Jackson joins Dulles as a delegated arrival airport for affected vacationers. The restriction applies to individuals who had been current within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan inside 21 days earlier than coming into the United States.
Federal officers mentioned the restrictions are meant as a “proactive measure” tied to the ongoing Ebola outbreak. Cargo-only flights and airline crew members are excluded from the necessities.
The modifications took impact for flights departing after 11:59 p.m. EDT Friday, May 22, based on CBP.
A second airport — George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston — is scheduled to be added to the checklist starting Tuesday, May 26.
Officials haven’t introduced any recognized Ebola circumstances related to Atlanta vacationers right now. The CDC has traditionally used designated airports throughout worldwide well being emergencies to pay attention screening, monitoring and traveler schooling efforts.