Authorities Bars Entry to Travellers from Congo Over Ebola Concerns
The Canadian government has announced new temporary border measures that will deny entry to foreign nationals who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo within the past 21 days, as part of efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola.
The restriction, which takes effect immediately, comes amid a worsening Ebola outbreak in Congo, where thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths have been reported in recent weeks.
Officials say the move is a precautionary step to protect public health, even though authorities maintain that the risk of Ebola spreading to Canada remains low. The government has previously introduced measures such as mandatory 21-day quarantine and enhanced screening for travellers arriving from affected regions.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from international health bodies, including the World Health Organization, which generally discourages travel bans during outbreaks, arguing they can hinder response efforts and stigmatise affected regions.
Canada’s policy aligns with similar steps taken by other countries, including the United States, which has imposed its own restrictions requiring travellers from Congo to undergo a 21-day waiting period before entry.
The outbreak, declared earlier in 2026, continues to pose a serious health challenge in Central Africa, prompting governments worldwide to tighten border controls while balancing public health concerns with global mobility and humanitarian efforts.
