Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke has rejected a US demand to close borders for Congolese nationals against the backdrop of the Ebola outbreak. Vandenbroucke speaks of the ‘crushing responsibility’ of the US now that it has scaled back aid and international cooperation.
Home News
Ebola outbreak: Belgium rejects US demand to bar Congolese nationals
Published:
Updated:
Belgium is also deeply concerned about the Ebola outbreak in Africa, but an entry ban on people from the affected region is not currently on the agenda, Belgian Health and Social Affairs Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Flemish socialist Vooruit - pictured below in the lower house of the Belgian parliament) says in response to the US demand to stop allowing Congolese nationals into Belgium.
“We are consulting closely with the relevant partners and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The scientific consensus is that action must be taken where the crisis is raging. No one is proposing an entry ban at this stage,” says Vandenbroucke.
The focus is on screening on departure from the affected countries to Europe. “Should nevertheless anyone arrive here with symptoms, they will immediately be placed in quarantine. Two hospitals are ready to accommodate them,” Vandenbroucke assured.
The demand from US Ambassador Bill White, who has called for an entry ban on behalf of the US authorities, will not be met for the time being. The minister believes the Americans would do better to look to their own house first.
“The US bears a crushing responsibility for what is happening now, because development cooperation and medical aid were scaled back. They will have millions of people on their conscience.”
US demand that Belgium impose an entry ban on Congolese nationals
Earlier US Ambassador Bill White asked Belgium, on behalf of the US authorities, to impose an entry ban on people from DR Congo as part of the fight against Ebola.
During the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the US, the Belgian authorities should adopt the strict American travel restrictions relating to Ebola. If this does not happen, Washington will consider entry bans against European countries the Americans say. Returning Belgians would also have to go into quarantine.
Since mid-May, the US has been refusing entry to travellers who have recently been in Congo or Uganda. Only US citizens or people with permanent residence permits are still allowed to enter the US. Exceptions are made for military personnel, civil servants and close family members.
No cases of Ebola have yet been reported in the US, but Washington fears that the imminent influx of millions of fans during the World Cup could change that.