SouthernWorldwide.com – The Democratic Republic of Congo’s national soccer team faces a strict quarantine requirement of 21 days if they wish to compete in the upcoming World Cup in the United States, due to an ongoing Ebola outbreak.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, communicated this directive to FIFA, the Congolese government, and the national soccer team.
The team is currently based in Belgium, where they are undergoing training and are slated to play two preparatory matches. Giuliani emphasized the non-negotiable nature of the isolation period.
“We’ve been very clear to Congo that they should maintain the integrity of their bubble for 21 days before they can then come to Houston on June 11,” Giuliani stated to ESPN.
He further clarified the implications for the Congolese government, noting, “We’ve made it very clear to the Congo government as well that they need to maintain that bubble or they risk not being able to travel to the United States. We cannot be any clearer.”
Giuliani underscored the administration’s commitment to border security. “We want to make sure that there is nothing that’s going to come in or near our borders here on this,” he remarked.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been actively monitoring two American doctors. These doctors are currently in quarantine in Europe after potential exposure to Ebola.
Discussions have also taken place regarding the possibility of sending U.S. personnel to Belgium to assess the situation with the Congolese team. This proactive measure aims to ensure compliance with health protocols.
Last week, a confirmed outbreak of Bundibugyo, a less common strain of Ebola, was reported in Congo. This outbreak has been particularly severe.
The Bundibugyo Ebola strain is believed to have caused over 130 fatalities, with nearly 600 suspected cases documented. The severity of this outbreak is the primary driver for the stringent U.S. entry requirements.
Giuliani elaborated on the risks associated with individuals exhibiting symptoms. “If there are other people that are going to be coming in, they need to have a separate bubble from that team,” he explained.
He continued, “If they end up coming, and any of those people end up symptomatic, they are risking the entire team being able to come and compete in this World Cup.” This highlights the collective responsibility and the potential for a single case to jeopardize the team’s participation.
In a related development, the CDC announced this week a ban on entry into the United States for 30 days for all foreign nationals who have recently traveled from Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan within the preceding three weeks.
This broader travel restriction reflects the U.S. government’s heightened concern over the spread of the virus. The ban aims to mitigate any potential introduction of the disease into the country.
In response to these directives and the prevailing health concerns, Congo has made significant adjustments to its World Cup preparations. The team has canceled a planned farewell event for their fans.
Additionally, a three-day World Cup preparation training camp, scheduled to commence on Wednesday, has also been called off. These cancellations underscore the disruption caused by the Ebola outbreak.
The Congolese national team is drawn in Group K of the World Cup. Their opening match is scheduled against Portugal in Houston on June 17.
Following their initial fixture, Congo is set to face Colombia in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 23. Their final group stage match will be against Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27.
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The team’s ability to participate in these crucial matches hinges entirely on their adherence to the mandated 21-day isolation period. Failure to comply will result in their exclusion from the tournament.
