Ebola and Marburg: returning workers scheme (RWS)
Advice for people returning to the UK after working in an Ebola or Marburg virus affected area.
About the scheme
The Returning Workers Scheme (RWS) applies to any organisation that has UK-resident staff who have been or will be deployed to areas affected by Ebola or Marburg virus where they may be directly exposed to these viruses through their work.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) RWS was established in November 2014 as part of arrangements to protect and monitor the health of those who travel to Ebola-affected areas for their work. This scheme now forms part of the UK arrangements to support and monitor the health of those who travel to high-consequence infectious-disease-affected areas for their work, once they are back in the UK.
To ensure that UKHSA is able to establish prompt and efficient screening arrangements and can provide organisations with regular updates and guidance, we ask that:
- organisations deploying workers in Ebola or Marburg outbreak affected areas register with the UKHSA RWS, in advance of travel whenever possible
- once registered, organisations should provide UKHSA with the travel details of all staff (paid or unpaid) returning from Ebola or Marburg affected areas, in advance of their arrival into the UK
Current outbreak areas
- Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
DRC
For the DRC, the RWS applies to all workers returning from affected areas (see Ebola and Marburg haemorrhagic fevers: outbreaks and case locations - GOV.UK), including those working in health, humanitarian, government, private-sector and other roles. Additionally, it also applies to all health and humanitarian workers returning from anywhere in the DRC, including areas not currently designated as affected.
Other high-risk locations
Central African Republic
For the Central African Republic, the RWS applies to humanitarian, healthcare and Ebola response workers returning from high-risk areas (Bangui, Bimbo, Begoua, Kemo, Kourango-Grimari, Mobaye-Zangba, Kembe-Satema, Ouango-Gambo, Bangassou, Haut-Mbomou and Mbaiki). This includes UK government staff and others deployed to support the Ebola response, and personnel working in settings with potential direct exposure to Ebola.
South Sudan
For South Sudan, the RWS applies to humanitarian, healthcare and Ebola response workers returning from high-risk areas (Yambio, Nzara, Tambura, Ezo, Ibba, Maridi, Yei, Morobo and Magwi counties). This includes UK government staff and others deployed to support the Ebola response, and personnel working in settings with potential direct exposure to Ebola.
Uganda
For Uganda, the RWS applies to humanitarian, healthcare and response workers returning from Uganda. This includes UK government staff and others deployed to support the Ebola or Marburg responses, and personnel working in settings with potential direct exposure to Ebola or Marburg.
Register for the scheme
Contact returningworkersscheme@ukhsa.gov.uk to find out more about the scheme and to register.
Further information about Ebola or Marburg
See Viral haemorrhagic fevers: epidemiology, characteristics, diagnosis and management.