TheCable

Aaron Motsoaledi, South Africa’s health minister, on Thursday announced an immediate ban for non-South Africans from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone – three of the countries affected by the Ebola virus outbreak.

Motsoaledi said travellers from Nigeria, which has recorded few cases, will be allowed entry into the country only after scrutiny, while South Africans returning from the three worst-hit countries will also be screened.

“A total travel ban for all non-citizens travelling from these high-risk countries (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone), unless the travel is considered absolutely essential,” he said.

“For citizens of South Africa who wish to travel to these countries, they will be requested to delay their travel unless it is absolutely essential for them to travel.

“For people from medium and low-risk countries, including Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia, the normal surveillance processes would continue.

“If the comprehensive medical and the temperature screening reveal something, they will have to subject themselves to a complete medical examination.”

Since Ebola broke out in Guinea in February, several countries have employed stringent measures to prevent insulate their citizens against it.

The virus has claimed an estimated 1,350 lives, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).