US citizens in Congo barred from returning home due to Ebola risk

The Trump administration has barred U.S. citizens who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from immediately returning to the United States, citing an increased risk associated with the Ebola outbreak. This decision follows a pattern of stringent travel restrictions implemented by the administration. Approximately two dozen American citizens were scheduled to fly back to the U.S. on Tuesday after being in the Congo. They will now be required to undergo a 21-day waiting period before they can board commercial flights. The State Department is working to assist these individuals. The administration's approach is based on a new risk assessment that indicated a heightened spread of the virus closer to the capital city, Kinshasa. As of July 11, the Congo has reported nearly 2,000 Ebola cases and 702 confirmed deaths. Health experts have criticized such restrictions, noting they have historically been unsuccessful and harmful, discouraging transparency and creating stigma.