The Trump administration confirmed Thursday that no American who has been exposed to Ebola will be permitted to re-enter the United States.
The decision marks a firm policy stance from senior officials, who outlined the measures during briefings held on Thursday.
A 50-bed field hospital quarantine facility for Americans is currently under construction in Kenya and will become operational on Friday.
Senior administration officials confirmed the timeline for the Kenya facility, signaling the administration’s intent to manage potential cases abroad rather than on American soil.
The facility represents a significant logistical undertaking, designed specifically to house and monitor Americans who may have been exposed to the virus.
Officials stated that any individual who tests positive for Ebola or begins developing symptoms will be transferred elsewhere for more advanced medical care.
However, senior administration officials were unable to clearly specify where such patients would ultimately be sent for that higher level of treatment.
The lack of clarity around transfer destinations leaves open questions about the full scope of the administration’s contingency planning for serious cases.
The quarantine facility in Kenya is intended to serve as the first line of response for Americans caught up in any Ebola exposure situation in the region.
The Trump administration’s approach reflects a broader effort to prevent any potential spread of the virus from reaching the continental United States.