Ebola Scare: Uganda orders 21-day quarantine for returnees

Uganda has banned non-essential travel to and from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and ordered citizens returning from the country to undergo 21 days of quarantine to prevent the spread of Ebola.

The country’s health ministry said only essential travellers, including aid workers, truck drivers and security personnel, would be allowed to cross the border from DR Congo into Uganda. They must undergo strict health screening.

Ugandans returning from DR Congo will bear the cost of their 21-day quarantine. All travellers entering Uganda, regardless of where they are coming from, must also complete forms containing their travel details to help health officials trace contacts if necessary.

The measures follow reports of Ebola cases in Kenya and Nigeria earlier this month. Both countries reported cases linked to the ongoing outbreak, although Uganda has not recorded any new cases since August.