British airports began its screening for Ebola today, but has turned into a "joke" after passengers learned that the process was "voluntary."

Airline passengers who arrived at the airport disclosed that the screening process was a "joke" because it was not mandatory. Passengers said those who travelled from the Ebola-ridden countries had their temperatures taken and were asked to answer a questionnaire about their health.

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A 50-year-old British filmmaker, Sorious Samura, who just came from the West African country of Liberia, said he heard of the Ebola screening last week and thought it was "serious mandate." He said that having experienced the screening firsthand gave him the impression that it was "a complete joke" seeing as how it was "a bit lax."

According to Samura, he was not even asked where he was travelling from and only got tested because he volunteered.

"I told a passport control officer 'I am coming from Liberia and I've been making a film about Ebola,'" he said, adding that the passport control officer just handed him a questionnaire that had multiple choice answers.

In addition, Samura said that after handing back the filled out questionnaire, his temperature was taken and was sent on his way, without follow-up questions or advice on what could be done in case he started exhibiting the symptoms of the virus.

"There was never a stage where I felt it was serious," he added.

Meanwhile, a 41-year-old passenger from Ivory coast was disappointed that they were not even questioned at the airport, despite the global stir that Ebola has created.

Earlier this week, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said that in the course of the next six months, the airport screenings will cost about US$14.3 million.

However, Dr. Ron Behrens of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said the screening measures will not only bother people but will also have "very small" benefits.

Tagswhat is ebola, airport screening, heathrow airport, Ebola outbreak