Despite calls from Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and other Republicans, the Obama administration reiterated Monday there will be no travel ban from West African countries stricken by the Ebola virus outbreak.
"A travel ban is not something that we're currently considering," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said during his daily press briefing. "There already is a multi-layered screening protocol in place in our transportation system."
But Jindal, a possible 2016 presidential contender,
said Friday in a press release that "Even countries in Africa have cut back on or stopped accepting flights from countries with Ebola outbreaks."
Jindal quoted President Barack Obama as having said it was "unlikely" that Ebola would reach American soil.
"Well, it has, and we need to protect our people," Jindal said.
Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian national, arrived in Dallas late last month and was diagnosed with Ebola a week ago. He currently is on a respirator in a Dallas hospital.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden said Saturday that travel bans could actually hurt the eradication effort because it would be harder for aid workers to get in to help.
"That statement defies logic," Jindal said. "How exactly would stopping the entry of people potentially carrying the Ebola virus be counterproductive? This seems to be an obvious step to protect public health in the United States."
Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge agreed, saying Monday on Fox News Channel's
"Your World with Neil Cavuto," "It seems to be a very commonsense measure. It is a fail-safe measure."
Arizona Sen. John McCain also appeared on Cavuto's show Monday, saying that all measures, including a travel ban, need to be considered.
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