Thermal-imaging cameras installed at airport to screen for Ebola

Thermal-imaging cameras have been installed at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) to detect high body temperatures, to screen arriving passengers for Ebola.

Screening began today after three cameras were installed at the Immigration Officers’ counters at the arrival terminal.

The cameras screen everyone in their view, and anyone with high body temperature is shown as red figures on the screen.

Speaking at an event held at the airport today, Minister of State for Health Aishath Rameela said that anyone with high body temperature will be taken to a designated area at the airport for further tests by doctors.

Yesterday, the government imposed travel restrictions to and from the three countries most affected by Ebola - Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, in West Africa.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement dated 12 October 2014, that the government has decided not to issue on-arrival visas to travellers arriving from countries heavily affected by Ebola virus disease as part of the ongoing preparedness and precautions against this disease.

The ministry further said that third country nationals arriving in Maldives who have visited either Liberia, Sierra Leone, or Guinea, will not be issued on-arrival visa till after 21 days have elapsed since their travel to any of these countries.