COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — New Ohio protocols say travelers returning from West African countries that have Ebola outbreaks are to be quarantined at home for three weeks if they’ve been exposed to anyone potentially infected with the virus.
The protocols announced Friday say public officials will check the health of those travelers daily. They say quarantined individuals who are determined to be low-risk might be allowed trips outside their homes, away from public spaces.
The Ohio Department of Health says the protocols go beyond the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but are still respectful to travelers.
“We don’t want to build counterproductive barriers to those who have a desire to volunteer for medical relief efforts. We believe these new protocols are the right approach—strong, common sense, and informed by science—but we’re also continuing to monitor the situation to keep our protocols in the right place to protect Ohioans,” said ODH Director Richard Hodges.
Returning travelers who weren’t exposed to potentially infected people also will have health monitoring for 21 days. They’re instructed to avoid public places, track their movements outside their homes and remain in the U.S.
Those who did have exposure to a potentially infected person are to be quarantined at home with daily checks by a health official for 21 days, and may be allowed trips outside their homes, away from public places, if they are determined to be at a low risk.