Ebola: returning workers scheme (RWS)

All workers returning from areas affected by Ebola should be risk assessed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

About the scheme

UKHSA (formerly Public Health England) established the returning workers scheme (RWS) 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 is part of a coordinated effort to protect the health of the wider public.

The RWS is for any business or organisation that has staff who travel to the UK from areas affected by Ebola. This includes humanitarian and healthcare organisations, as well as media and other organisations that are sending workers to situations where they might be directly exposed to Ebola.

So that UKHSA is able to establish prompt and efficient screening arrangements, and can provide organisations with regular updates and guidance we ask that:

• organisations undertaking business in Ebola affected areas must register with the UKHSA returning workers scheme
• once registered, organisations should provide UKHSA with the travel details of all staff (paid or unpaid) returning from Ebola affected areas, in advance of their arrival into the UK

Current Ebola-affected areas

There is currently one active Ebola outbreak in the Équateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Register for the scheme

Contact ReturningWorkersScheme@phe.gov.uk to find out more about the scheme and to register.

Further information about Ebola

See the Ebola collection.