WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is rolling out a new round of safeguards meant to protect people from potentially infectious airline passengers who travel from hot zones in West Africa.
According to the new policy, passengers from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea will be part of “active post-arrival monitoring,” which means they will be required to stay in close contact with public health officials when they land in the U.S.
Passengers will need to communicate daily with state and local health departments, the CDC says. They will report their temperatures and any possible signs of Ebola.
They also will need to disclose whether they plan on traveling.
This lasts for 21 days, the maximum amount of time for Ebola symptoms to set in.
If those under active monitoring miss a day or fail to report in, health officials will get in contact with them immediately, according to the CDC.
The new policy takes effect Monday, Oct. 27 in six states including Maryland and Virginia.
Soon it will be nationwide.
There is already increased Ebola screening at five major U.S. airports, including Dulles International Airport.
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