Passengers from Ebola-hit region must enter via designated airports
Stopping short of a complete travel ban of flights from West Africa, the US will restrict all passengers originating from the Ebola-hit nations to pass through one of the five gateway airports operating comprehensive screening for the virus.
These restrictions placed on passengers from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea take effect from today, the US Department of Homeland Security said.
Inbound travelers will undergo temperature checks for signs of a fever that could point to Ebola infection at New York JFK, Newark, Washington Dulles, Atlanta, and Chicago O’Hare international airport.
"We are working closely with the airlines to implement these restrictions with minimal travel disruption," said Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson.
"We currently have in place measures to identify and screen anyone at all land, sea and airports of entry into the United States who we have reason to believe has been present in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea in the preceding 21 days," Johnson said.
Johnson added that over 90% of travelers originating from the affected region pass through these airports and there are no nonstop direct flights to the US from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea.
Aviation industry group Airlines for America said its member airlines, which include Delta, United Airlines and American Airlines, are ‘cooperating fully’ to reroute any passengers through the five airports.
Airlines for America praised the latest move by the Obama administration and reiterated its opposition against a complete travel ban.
"We agree with the White House that discussions of flight bans are not necessary and actually impede efforts to stop the disease in its tracks in West Africa," said A4A’s Vaughn Jennings.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt