Seven American aid workers who recently served in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola response have been quarantined at a US-operated facility in Kenya. Although none of the workers have shown symptoms, they must complete a 21-day quarantine following the Trump administration’s decision to expand an existing travel restriction. The ban, which barred entry to immigrants and US permanent residents who had been in Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan in the previous 21 days, had originally exempted US citizens. The policy marks a sharp break from past US responses to Ebola outbreaks, when citizens were typically brought home for treatment. Public health experts have criticized the decision as lacking scientific justification and warned it could discourage experienced personnel from helping combat the outbreak. Meanwhile, Kenya faces legal and political controversy over the quarantine facility, with critics alleging it violates a court order.
The New York Times