Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino wants the FAA to halt flights to New York from African countries stricken with the Ebola virus.

Making a plea across the street from the United Nations, Astorino called the Ebola virus a public health and safety issue.

"It defies common sense then that we would allow air travel from Ebola-stricken nations until airport screenings are foolproof," he said. .

Astorino added that he knows grounding flights won't totally stop the possible spread of the virus. "I am well aware this is not a perfect solution; people enter New York from Canada and other nations, but New York and the federal government have [an] obligation to do what they can."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the right protocols need to be in place, but is opposed to closing the borders.

The Centers for Disease Control announced there would be stepped up screening for passengers traveling from West Africa or any other nation.

The specifics of those screenings have yet to be released.