HEALTH

Dominican Republic joins Caribbean countries in imposing travel ban to fight Ebola

The Associated Press Published Tuesday, October 21, 2014 2:30PM EDT

Jeff Hulbert, left, of Annapolis, Md., protests U.S. handling of Ebola cases, as Mary Wills, right, of Cleveland, playfully covers her face while taking a photo with Hulbert, outside of the White House. Hulbert holds a sign which says "Stop the Flights" for a travel ban. Oct. 17, 2014. (AP / Jacquelyn Martin)

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- The Dominican Republic has joined a group of Caribbean countries in restricting travellers from West African nations dealing with Ebola outbreaks.

Dominican Health Minister Altagracia Guzman says the ban applies to travellers who have been in those countries in the past 30 days. She announced Tuesday that authorities will remain vigilant at airports, seaports and the border it shares with Haiti.

There are no direct flights between the Dominican Republic and any African country.

Jamaica, Guyana, St. Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago have announced similar travel restrictions.

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has already killed more than 4,500 people, mostly in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone since it emerged 10 months ago.