On Monday, the United States debunked rumours making the rounds that there are ongoing plans to restrict Africans from entering the country due to the outbreak of monkeypox.
News About Nigeria reports that the disclaimer was made by the US Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy, John Nkengasong following rumours that the U.S. might reinstate travel policies similar to those introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, including mandatory vaccinations for travellers.
While speaking to journalists on Monday, Nkengasong noted that there is no plan to stop individuals arriving from any African countries from entering the country due to the rising cases of monkeypox.
He urged the general public to disregard the rumours, emphasising that it is unfounded as the U.S. government was not considering such actions.
The coordinator further pledged the U.S. commitment to working with the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation to curtail the spread of Mpox, to ensure that it does not develop into a pandemic.
He also promised an additional $35m in support to fight mpox.
“The US currently does not plan to put in place travel restrictions for people travelling from Africa. So that is really a rumour. So we do not at this point think that is going to happen,” Nkengasong stated, categorically dismissing the claims.
“The US is mobilising additional resources. The USAID just announced $35m, and again, we will stay committed until we bring this outbreak to – control it in collaboration, of course, with others: the WHO and Africa CDC.”
