Canada Announces Travel Ban for Three African Countries Over Ebola Fears

The Government of Canada has announced temporary border restrictions, including the suspension of immigration documents for residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan due to the Ebola outbreak.

The measures, announced by the Public Health Agency of Canada on May 26, will take effect beginning May 27 at 11:59 p.m. EDT and remain in force for 90 days.

The move comes in response to the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and growing public health concerns in neighbouring Uganda and South Sudan.

“We are suspending immigration documents for residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan for 90 days. During this time, we also plan to pause decisions on applications from these countries. This is vital to respond to the Ebola outbreak and prevent the disease from spreading to Canada,” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said in a statement.

New Travel and Immigration Restrictions

According to the government, residents of countries classified as having a high or very high risk of Ebola disease outbreaks will be affected by the temporary measures.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan are currently included in that category.

The suspension means that travellers from those countries who already possess approved temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) or permanent resident visas will not be permitted to travel to Canada while their immigration documents remain suspended.

In addition, Canadian authorities will temporarily halt decisions on new applications for temporary resident visas, permanent resident visas and electronic travel authorizations submitted by residents of the affected countries during the 90-day period.

Canada says the measures are intended to reduce the risk of Ebola entering Canada while public health authorities continue monitoring developments in the affected regions.

Also Read: Why I Agreed to Establish US Ebola Facility in Kenya – Ruto Explains

Mandatory Ebola Quarantine Measures Introduced

The government also announced additional border controls that will come into force on May 30 at 11:59 p.m. EDT and remain effective until August 29, 2026.

Under the new rules, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act and foreign nationals who have travelled to the affected regions within the previous 21 days and do not show symptoms of Ebola will be required to undergo a mandatory 21-day quarantine.

Travellers who do not have a suitable location to safely quarantine will be provided with an appropriate facility by the authorities.

Individuals displaying symptoms consistent with Ebola disease will be isolated in hospital settings for further medical assessment and monitoring.

The measures are being implemented under Canada’s Quarantine Act and are designed to limit any potential transmission of the virus within Canadian communities.

Also Read: Government Lists 25 High-Risk Counties as Kenya Remains Ebola-Free

Government Cites Precautionary Approach

Authorities emphasized that individuals already inside Canada will not be affected by the new restrictions and may continue to remain in the country for their authorized period of stay.

The government noted that travellers entering Canada have already been subject to screening procedures conducted by Canada Border Services Agency officers at ports of entry.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents will continue to be allowed to return home, though they will undergo enhanced screening upon arrival.

While stressing that the current risk to Canadians remains low, officials said the evolving international situation and the anticipated increase in global travel associated with the FIFA World Cup 2026 prompted the government to act cautiously.

Public health authorities highlighted that Canada has never recorded an imported case of Ebola disease and that there are currently no Ebola cases anywhere in North America.

“The health and safety of people in Canada is our top priority. These temporary border measures will help reduce the risk of Ebola disease entering the country while ensuring that travellers are managed based on their level of risk. We will continue to take action guided by science and evidence to protect Canadians,” Canadian Health Minister Marjorie Michel said.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab defended the restrictions as necessary safeguards against a significant public health threat.

“Canadians can be assured that their health and safety is our top priority. The measures we plan to introduce are necessary to protect Canadians and reinforce the integrity of our border against this threat to public health. We will continue to take proactive and decisive action in response to the emerging Ebola outbreak,” Diab said.

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Kenya Alerts counties to ramp up Ebola readiness after DRC outbreak and Ugandan case/ PHOTO FB