Cape Verde: Gov't bans nationals from Ebola-hit countries from entering its territory

Praia, Cape Verde (PANA) – The Cape Verdian government on Wednesday banned nationals from the three West African countries affected by the deadly Ebola virus disease from entering the country for three months.

The Cape Verdian Prime minister, José Maria Neves, who announced the action after a meeting with several ministers said the preventive measure would be evaluated in three months to determine whether or not to lift the ban.

Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been fighting the disease, which has claimed at least 1,229 deaths out of 2,240 people affected since late last year. Nigeria has also recorded a number of deaths.

Maria Neves advised nationals of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia in Cape Verde not to return to their countries until after the epidemic has been controlled by their governments.

He said his government had also banned delegations from Cape Verde from travelling to countries affected by Ebola.

The outbreak of the disease has gripped the world with the World Health Organisation leading actions to check the spread. Several countries, especially in West Africa, have been taking preventive measures against the disease.

The Cape Verdian Prime minister also said that the entry of planes and ships into the island would be "controlled".

"The measure is not a border closure. It is only a restriction for entry,” said Maria Neves.
-0- PANA CS/IZ/CJB/BEH/IBA/MSA/MA 20Aug2014