U.S Embassy in Kenya issues advisory over new travel restrictions
U.S Embassy in Kenya issues advisory over new travel restrictions
The United States (U.S) has issued an urgent advisory to travellers affected by its Ebola-related travel restrictions, directing passengers denied boarding to seek assistance from the Department of Homeland Security.
In a notice dated Wednesday, August 26, the U.S Embassy in Nairobi said travellers denied boarding should contact the department and provide details to enable authorities to assess their circumstances.
“Travellers denied boarding a flight due to Ebola-related travel restrictions should reach out to Ebola-Travel-HELP@hq.dhs.gov for assistance,” read part of the embassy’s statement.
The advisory comes after President Donald Trump’s administration imposed temporary entry restrictions for travellers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda or South Sudan.
Under the current rules, travellers who have been in the DRC within 21 days of their planned U.S.-bound flights are not permitted to board commercial flights to America.
The restriction also applies where the DRC was an intermediate stop for a passenger, regardless of whether the passenger left the aircraft.
Foreign nationals, including U.S citizens, who have recently been in Uganda or South Sudan face separate restrictions and must generally have remained outside those countries for at least 21 days before boarding a U.S-bound flight.
The embassy said affected passengers should be prepared to submit information for every traveller in their party, including their full name, date of birth, sex, passport country and number, citizenship and current location.
They should also provide details of the flight on which boarding was denied, including the airport, airline and flight number, as well as information about any future booking to the United States.
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Travellers must also disclose whether they have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan and provide their dates of departure from those countries.
While issuing the directive, the embassy cautioned that travellers contacting the dedicated help desk may first receive an automated response requesting additional information.
“Someone from that inbox will be in touch with you,” the embassy said, adding that the follow-up could come through a phone call or an email from a “.gov” address.
The U.S Embassy in Nairobi further urged people planning to travel to America to contact their airlines beforehand to confirm their flight and route.
Travellers who have remained outside the DRC for 21 days have also been advised to allow extra time before their scheduled departure to resolve any outstanding issues that could affect their journey.
U.S. citizens who require financial assistance to modify their travel plans, secure temporary accommodation in a third country or access other consular services have been advised to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
The U.S government has also designated four airports for U.S. citizens and nationals recently present in Uganda or South Sudan, but not the DRC, to undergo enhanced public health screening upon arrival.
The airports include Washington Dulles, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Houston George Bush Intercontinental and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
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