Florida's Leaders Demand Travel Ban on Ebola-Impacted African Nations

Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan died in a Dallas hospital from the Ebola virus and airports started screening passengers from West Africa for signs of sickness on Wednesday, leading political leaders from Florida to call for federal action to protect the country from the virus. 
Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., took part in a conference call with the White House on Wednesday as the nation prepares for an Ebola outbreak after nations in West Africa were impacted by the disease.

Scott urged President Barack Obama to help Florida prepare for the possibility of an Ebola crisis.

“We are still urging the president to fulfill our request for 30 testing kits the state has requested from the CDC and an additional 100 units of high-level protective gear,” Scott said. “Florida still does not have any confirmed cases of Ebola, and we hope we never do, but we must continue to do everything possible to keep our citizens and our visitors safe.

Scott also said he agreed with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La., to implement temporary travel bans with African nations impacted by Ebola.

“As to the discussion on international travel restrictions, I agree with Senator Bill Nelson and Governor Bobby Jindal that the White House needs to look at certain restrictions on travel from countries battling Ebola to keep Americans safe,” Scott said. “This is not a partisan decision. It is a common-sense decision. I assume the administration is doing everything they can to secure our country and combat the spread of this disease. That is what we are doing in Florida and I assume they are taking the same steps at the federal level.”

Nelson wrote U.S. Sec. of State John Kerry on Tuesday, backing a temporary travel ban on African nations hit hard by the Ebola virus. Nelson urged the Obama administration to support such a ban. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said a travel ban was not currently on the table.

“Considering the changing events and overall magnitude of the situation, it may be time to re-examine the travel issue from the standpoint of visas,” Nelson said on Tuesday.

“I have reviewed the administration’s comprehensive plan to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus and I support the national-security and public-health efforts in this regard,” Nelson wrote Kerry. “It would seem that another means of reducing the chances of exposure to the virus here at home would be to temporarily suspend unnecessary travel to the United States under existing visas and the issuance of new visas for citizens of countries that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies as areas with high rates of infections.

“These travel bans could be temporary until the CDC determines the affected areas no longer pose a threat,” Nelson added. “This would not only help protect Americans here at home, it would also provide additional time for the added steps the administration is implementing to take effect. Of course, that wouldn’t block travel involving humanitarian assistance, medical personnel or the flow of supplies to areas hard hit by the virus.

“While there have been unheeded calls in recent weeks from lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle wanting similar action, I believe it is imperative the administration reconsider temporary, targeted travel restrictions at this time,” Nelson wrote in conclusion. “I look forward to your response.”

Members of the Florida congressional delegation have signed off on a letter demanding the federal government enact a temporary travel ban on African nations impacted by Ebola, a point raised by both U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., in recent days. Sources informed Sunshine State News on Wednesday that three members of the Florida delegation -- Grayson and Republican U.S. Reps. Dennis Ross and Ted Yoho -- have signed off on the letter.


Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN