Federal Health Officials Expand Travel Restrictions Amid Ebola Outbreak

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a new rule expanding travel restrictions during dangerous disease outbreaks.

Under the updated policy, lawful permanent residents — also known as green card holders — may face temporary limits on entering the United States if they have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days.

Federal officials say the change is tied to the ongoing Ebola outbreak and is intended to help prevent the spread of the virus into the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the policy does not permanently bar green card holders from returning to the country. Instead, it grants federal health officials discretionary authority to restrict entry during declared public health emergencies.