Air France flight to Detroit diverted to Montreal over Ebola restrictions
The Story
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said an Air France flight bound for Detroit was diverted to Montreal after a passenger from the Congo boarded in Paris “in error” amid flight restrictions tied to the Ebola outbreak. The agency stated that the passenger should not have boarded due to U.S. entry restrictions meant to reduce the risk of Ebola spreading. The flight later continued to Detroit without the passenger.
Key Facts
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection prohibited the flight from landing at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and diverted it to Montreal, Canada.
- The passenger from the Congo was denied entry to the U.S. due to regulations requiring travelers from certain countries, including the Congo, to enter only through Washington.
- As of Thursday, all U.S.-bound American citizens and permanent residents who have been in Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days must enter only through Washington Dulles International Airport for enhanced screening.
- Craig Currie, spokesman for the Public Health Agency of Canada, said U.S. officials informed Canadian authorities about the diversion due to temporary travel restrictions for anyone who traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan within the previous 21 days.
- A public health official in Montreal assessed the traveler as asymptomatic, and the traveler flew back to Paris.
- Air France flight AFR378, along with all other passengers, continued to its original destination of Detroit.
- The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday. The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no available vaccine or medicine.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
The article does not explain how the passenger boarded in error or provide the passenger’s identity or specific reason for the error.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Craig Currie, spokesman for the Public Health Agency of Canada
- Unnamed spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Sources: abcnews.com
