Drawing on official health advisories and government sources, ATTA stated
that estab
lished public health protocols are in place in countries bordering the DRC and
that tourism operations and business travel across the wider African continent continue without significant
disruption.
Virginia Messina, Group CEO of ATTA, said: “Established protocols are in place within countries bordering the DRC and as a result tourism operations and business trips across the wider African continent continue normally. As of 27 May, no other cases have been detected outside of Uganda and DRC. The risk to travellers on standard itineraries outside affected areas remains very low, and it’s important to highlight that Ebola is not easily transmitted through casual contact.
“However, travel rules and screening measures may change quickly. The WHO
(World Health Organisation) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and
Control (ECDC) are scaling up efforts to contain the virus but continue to
advise against blanket travel restrictions and neither the UK, nor any European
country has introduced entry bans.”
·
ATTA noted that
Uganda, which has extensive experience in managing Ebola outbreaks and other
public health emergencies, continues to operate normally. Tourism activities,
national parks, hotels, conference venues and transport services remain open,
while visitors and tourism professionals are encouraged to follow standard
hygiene practices.
·
In Rwanda, the
government announced on 22 May that foreign nationals who have travelled to or
transited through the DRC within the previous 30 days will be denied entry.
Rwandan citizens and foreign residents holding valid residency documentation
are permitted entry but are subject to mandatory quarantine requirements if
they have been in the DRC during that period.
·
Kenya has
introduced enhanced health screening measures for certain arriving passengers,
particularly those travelling from Uganda, Ethiopia and the DRC. In addition,
the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has issued a mandatory circular requiring
airlines operating flights from the DRC or Uganda to provide passengers with an
Electronic Traveller Surveillance Form before departure and to submit passenger
manifests to port health authorities upon arrival.
· Tanzania has also activated public health measures at its entry points for incoming travellers as part of broader efforts to monitor and contain potential risks associated with the outbreak.
According to ATTA, health authorities and governments across the region
continue to monitor the situation closely while maintaining tourism and
business operations under established public health protocol.
Tags: Ebola outbreak, Virginia Messina African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA)
