Order Under Sections 362 and 365 of the Public Health Service Act Continuing the Suspension of the Right To Introduce Certain Persons From Countries Where a Quarantinable Communicable Disease Exists

A lawful permanent resident is requesting that the CDC reconsider the policy preventing LPRs from returning to the United States after traveling to certain countries. The commenter argues that the policy creates significant hardship for families and suggests that existing public health screening measures for citizens should be applied to LPRs as well.

A lawful permanent resident opposes the inclusion of permanent residents in the travel suspension and requests that the CDC reconsider the restrictions on Uganda. The commenter argues that Uganda's situation is distinct from the DRC and that existing public health measures should be sufficient for permanent residents.

Robert Michael Vanleeuwen opposes the CDC's "riding amendment" that exempts U.S. citizens from the scope of "persons" under the Public Health Service Act during a public health emergency. He argues that the exemption is legally unsupported, ignores the compelling interest of public health, and poses a significant risk to public safety.

The commenter, an infection preventionist, opposes the order to continue the suspension of the right to introduce certain persons from countries with quarantinable communicable diseases. They argue that the United States has sufficient regulations and preparedness to provide high-quality care to citizens who may be affected by the Ebola response.

The commenter requests that the CDC reconsider the inclusion of lawful permanent residents (LPRs) in the travel suspension order and evaluate Uganda independently from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They argue that LPRs should be allowed to return under the same screening protocols as U.S. citizens and that Uganda's public health measures warrant its removal from the order.