Canada Implements New Border Measures in Response to Ebola Outbreak

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced new border measures on Sunday to reduce the risk of Ebola entering and spreading within the country. Effective Monday, any foreign national who has been in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) within the previous 21 days will be barred from entering Canada. The agency stated this step is intended to reduce the public health risk to Canadians while enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of border measures for processing arriving travellers, including returning humanitarian workers, safely. PHAC noted there is no change to the rules for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals registered under the Indian Act who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days. These individuals will still be permitted to enter Canada but must undergo a health screening upon arrival and are required to quarantine for 21 days. These requirements, along with all other measures under the previous Order in Council, will remain in effect until 29 August 2026. According to PHAC, no travel-related cases of Ebola have been reported in Canada to date.