A Liberian national who was due to be deported back to his home country despite the outbreak of ebola has been given a last minute reprieve.

The man was on his way to Brussels airport for a flight to the African country when he was told he can stay in the Netherlands after all.

The European court of human rights said on Monday that Liberian nationals can be deported despite ebola and the negative travel advice for the country. Earlier a Dutch court ruled the chance of becoming infected to be very small and said the man could take steps to protect himself.

The man’s lawyer is said to have come up with new arguments for the successful last ditch attempt to keep his client in the Netherlands. They will be made public later on Tuesday, Nos television said.