Belgium has rebuffed American requests to block arrivals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo as worries continue to mount about the growing Ebola crisis just weeks before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The tournament, which is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from Thursday, is taking place as health authorities monitor the Ebola crisis closely after the World Health Organization declared a state of emergency in May.
Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke has stated that his administration would continue to abide by scientific advice, rather than apply entry bans on all travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“We remain in constant contact with those involved and with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control,” Vandenbroucke said. “Science determines that intervention should focus on the epidemic zones; we are not asked for entry bans at the moment.”
Belgium has instead implemented pre-departure screening and imposed a mandatory quarantine on any individual who develops symptoms after arrival. The minister also mentioned that there are already two hospitals set aside for the treatment of infected individuals.
This clash comes amid reports that Washington requested that European nations also put stringent travel restrictions in place similar to those imposed in the United States. U.S. Officials feel that keeping Ebola out of the World Cup locations is a top priority.
Confirmed cases of the deadly virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have now reached nearly 600 as millions prepare for the World Cup.
