With the news that more and more airports around the world are to start screening passengers coming from western African destinations, a radio-producer from the US has shown the kind of process passengers undergo when leaving Liberia.
Rebecca Hersher, a producer based in Los Angeles with National Public Radio, live tweeted the steps she went through when travelling from the Liberian capital of Monrovia to Virgina’s Dulles International Airport, by way of Brussels.
Having reported on the disease for two weeks in the Ebola hotspot, Hersher returned home on Tuesday and her journey began in Monrovia’s Roberts International Airport, with a questionnaire, some hand washing, and a temperature check:
Leaving Liberia, bound for DC. At ROB airport, handed this questionnaire before even entering terminal pic.twitter.com/y4cKJRMNmN
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 13, 2014
Next, hand washing w/ chlorinated water. Still outside the terminal. @nprGlobalHealth
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 13, 2014
"Take this and read it. You will be asked questions later" leaving Liberia @nprGlobalHealth pic.twitter.com/O4DIZoYe7R
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 13, 2014
Leaving Liberia @nprGlobalHealth #Ebola pic.twitter.com/jeSWd6iSMc
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 13, 2014
People waiting to have their temp taken (for the second time) before the flight. Leaving Liberia @nprGlobalHealth pic.twitter.com/aIW6oL3s3g
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 13, 2014
Like everyone boarding planeon jasonbnpr gets temp taken before boarding the flight out of Liberia. @nprGlobalHealth pic.twitter.com/NE7OPlouH8
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 13, 2014
Ebola symptom cartoon. At ROB airport, leaving Liberia. @nprnews @nprGlobalHealth pic.twitter.com/e8o8zB8ibK
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 14, 2014
Upon landing in Brussels, Hersher explains passengers were not screened, and that a customs official remarked, "We are the only ones who will take you now."
Upon arrival in Brussels from Monrovia, we exited the plane without any screening of any kind. @nprGlobalHealth @nprnews
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 14, 2014
Brussels customs agent, hearing I was coming from Liberia. "We are the only ones who will take you now" On to DC. #ebola @nprnews
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 14, 2014
When boarding her flight to the US, Hersher was selected for additional screening - though only of the electronic equipment she was carrying. She wasn't asked any questions relating to health or Ebola.
Boarding plane in Brussels, chosen for extra screening. Asked me Qs abt electronics. Searched my bags. No Qs abt health. @nprGlobalHealth
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 14, 2014
Finally, after being on the go for 24 hours, Hersher reaches Dulles International Airport, which the Washington Post reports caters for 22% of all air passengers arriving from western Africa to US soil. Hersher travelled through the airport two days before it started screening.
Passport control at Dulles "Just so you know, everyone coming from Liberia... A person CDC is gonna talk to you" @nprGlobalHealth
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 14, 2014
In line at customs, Dulles. @nprGlobalHealth pic.twitter.com/MJyd5q2roZ
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 14, 2014
No CDC people to be seen at Dulles. Customs agent asked about contact w/ "visibly sick people". And with that, free to go. @nprGlobalHealth
— Rebecca Hersher (@rhersher) October 14, 2014
