US Government Mandates 21-Day Isolation for Congo Team Amid Ebola Fears
US authorities have imposed a 21-day isolation period on the Congolese national team as a prerequisite for their entry into the United States and participation in the World Cup, citing concerns related to the Ebola virus.
The United States had initially granted approval last week for the Democratic Republic of Congo's national team to compete in the tournament, before subsequently outlining the health conditions required for the team's delegation.
Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House team responsible for the World Cup file, confirmed in a statement to ESPN that the Congolese team is required to undergo a full 21-day isolation before being permitted to travel to Houston on June 11.
The same source indicated that the Congolese team, currently holding a training camp in Belgium, was mandated to begin their isolation period starting Friday to comply with the stipulated duration.
The US official added, “If other individuals join the team, they must undergo separate isolation from the team. Should any of them display symptoms, it could lead to the entire team being disqualified from participating in the World Cup.”
In a statement reported by AFP, Giuliani stressed that the White House encourages the Congolese team to safeguard its players from any unnecessary exposure to the virus and to uphold rigorous health measures to ensure their involvement in the tournament.
