El Salvador restricts Rwandan travelers over Ebola fears
The Central American nation has banned nationals from eight African countries, including Rwanda, despite no reported cases of the disease.
El Salvador has imposed visa restrictions on nationals from Rwanda and seven other African countries due to Ebola concerns, according to an official letter from the Ministry of Health. The directive, dated Tuesday, declares nationals and travelers from Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda inadmissible. This move has drawn scrutiny as it includes countries, like Rwanda, with no reported cases of the Ebola virus.
The Rwandan Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre have stated that there are no reported Ebola cases within the country. The restrictions gained wider attention after a Kenyan journalist reported his visa application denial, citing El Salvador's directive. He questioned the inclusion of countries without reported cases, noting Kenya had reported eight cases, though authorities maintained there was no widespread outbreak.
El Salvador's decision comes amid regional concerns about Ebola spread, with Kenya reporting eight cases and Nigeria confirming its first case from a traveler arriving from Uganda. Rwandan health authorities have stated the country remains on high alert and is monitoring the situation, coordinating with international health bodies for preparedness and surveillance, particularly due to cross-border transmission risks from the eastern DRC.
Why it mattersRwandan nationals are affected by El Salvador's new entry restrictions, which are based on Ebola concerns despite no reported cases in Rwanda.