The minister explained Belgium is focusing on screening and controls at departure points in affected countries. “If someone does arrive here with symptoms, they will immediately go into quarantine,” Vandenbroucke said, adding that two Belgian hospitals were prepared to receive patients.
The remarks come after reports surfaced that U.S. Ambassador Bill White urged Belgium to adopt strict American-style travel restrictions on Congolese travelers ahead of the World Cup, which kicks off Thursday in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Daily flights connect Brussels to Kinshasa.
According to U.S. media,Washington has warned European countries that if they do not adopt America’s tougher travel restrictions, they could be subject to U.S. entry bans.
Vandenbroucke on Wednesday accused the Trump administration of undermining the international response to the health crisis.
“The U.S. bears an overwhelming responsibility for what is happening now, because development cooperation and medical aid have been scaled back,” he said. “They are going to have millions of people on their conscience.”
Washington denies its aid cuts have impacted the detection of, or response to, the current Ebola outbreak.