Canadian authorities on Tuesday announced temporary entry restrictions on residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, where Ebola cases have been reported, to reduce the risk of the disease entering Canada.
The restriction also affects travellers from South Sudan, which has no confirmed cases but remains on high alert.
The 90-day measure would take effect on Wednesday (today), the government said in a statement on Tuesday by immigration minister Lena Metlege Diab.
Canada said it would suspend the validity of visas and other immigration documents for residents of the affected countries amid growing concerns about the Ebola outbreak. Decisions on new visa applications will also be paused.
“The government of Canada intends to suspend immigration documents for residents of countries that have a high or very high risk of outbreak of Ebola disease for the next 90 days beginning May 27, 23:59 EDT.
“This will mean that even those with a previously approved temporary resident visa, electronic travel authorisation (eTA) or permanent resident visa will not be allowed to travel to Canada while their immigration document is suspended,” it stated.
As part of preventive measures, asymptomatic Canadian citizens and foreign nationals who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the previous 21 days must quarantine for 21 days.
“Travellers who have symptoms will be isolated at a hospital for further assessment. These measures are being implemented under the Quarantine Act,” it said.
The statement said the people already in Canada were not affected by the decision, while Canadian citizens and residents can still return to the country but will undergo screening upon their arrival.
It added that while Canada has no confirmed Ebola cases and the risk remains low, the government is taking preventive measures “given the severity of Ebola disease and the evolving international situation, including the FIFA World Cup 2026”.
The Bahamian government also advised nationals on Wednesday against travelling to the DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda.
It said its nationals travelling from affected countries would undergo enhanced health screening, with the results determining whether isolation or quarantine would be required.
“Foreign nationals who have been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within 30 days of arrival in the Bahamas may be subject to enhanced public health screening and possible quarantine or isolation measures,” it said in a statement.
Last week, the U.S. government also suspended entry for foreigners who had recently travelled to the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan.
On May 17, the WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.
The Ebola outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus disease, which has no treatment or vaccine. As of May 26, health officials said over 900 suspected cases and 223 deaths had been recorded in DRC.
