U.S. places Uganda, DRC among countries on ‘Do Not Travel’ list

The United States Department of State Consular Affairs has placed Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) under its highest Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory as measures linked to the ongoing Ebola response intensify. 

The advisory, issued on Wednesday, July 15, lists the two countries among destinations Americans have been warned not to visit for any reason.

According to the State Department, countries are flagged as Level 4 because of local conditions and the U.S. government’s limited ability to provide consular assistance. 

“We issue Travel Advisories with Levels 1 – 4. Level 4 means Do Not Travel. We assign Level 4 based on local conditions and/or our limited ability to help Americans there. These places are dangerous. Do not go for any reason,” the advisory stated.

South Sudan, which borders both Uganda and the DRC, as well as the Central African Republic (CAR), which neighbours the DRC, is also under the same Level 4 advisory. 

Other countries in the East African region that have been listed include Somalia and Sudan, while Kenya was notably not included among the countries designated under the highest travel warning.

Last month, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed that preparations to establish a U.S. Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base had been halted.

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Construction was halted after the government was found in contempt for disregarding an earlier court order suspending the works, following public protests and concerns over national biosafety.

The advisory comes as the U.S. introduces stricter measures for Americans departing the DRC following the ongoing Ebola outbreak. 

Under the new policy, U.S. citizens leaving the DRC are required to spend 21 days in a third country before they can enter the United States, with similar restrictions applying to some travellers from Uganda and South Sudan. 

Reuters reported that the policy has drawn concern from humanitarian organisations that are warning that it could reduce the number of American health workers available for Ebola response operations in the DRC. 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, linked to the Bundibugyo strain, has recorded more than 1,900 confirmed cases and over 700 deaths, making it the third-largest on record.

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