Rick Scott Backs Ebola Preparation, Travel Ban

Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., took part in a conference call with the White House on Wednesday as the nation prepares for an Ebola outbreak after nations in Africa were impacted by that disease.

Scott urged President Barack Obama to help Florida prepare for the possibility of an Ebola crisis.

We are still urging the president to fulfill our request for 30 testing kits the state has requested from the CDC and an additional 100 units of high-level protective gear, Scott said. Florida still does not have any confirmed cases of Ebola, and we hope we never do, but we must continue to do everything possible to keep our citizens and our visitors safe.

Scott also said he agreed with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La., to implement temporary travel bans with African nations impacted by Ebola.

As to the discussion on international travel restrictions, I agree with Senator Bill Nelson and Governor Bobby Jindal that the White House needs to look at certain restrictions on travel from countries battling Ebola to keep Americans safe, Scott said. This is not a partisan decision. It is a common-sense decision. I assume the administration is doing everything they can to secure our country and combat the spread of this disease. That is what we are doing in Florida and I assume they are taking the same steps at the federal level.