Ebola: Canada imposes 90-day travel ban on Uganda

Canada has announced sweeping temporary border and immigration restrictions affecting travellers and residents from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Sudan over concerns about the Ebola outbreak in the region.

The government of Canada said, in a statement, that the measures are aimed at preventing the Ebola virus from entering and spreading within Canada amid what it described as an evolving international public health threat.

Under the new measures, Canada will suspend immigration documents for residents of countries classified as having a “high or very high” Ebola outbreak risk for 90 days starting today, May 27 at 11:59 p.m. The affected countries currently include Uganda, the DRC, and South Sudan.

The suspension means that people from the affected countries will not be allowed to travel to Canada even if they already possess approved temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorisations (eTAs), or permanent resident visas.

Canadian authorities also said they will temporarily stop processing decisions on new applications for such immigration documents from residents of the affected countries during the suspension period.

Canada further announced additional border measures effective May 30 through August 29, 2026. Under these rules, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act, and foreign nationals who have been in Uganda, the DRC, or South Sudan within the previous 21 days but do not show Ebola symptoms will be required to undergo a mandatory 21-day quarantine upon arrival in Canada.

Travellers who do not have a suitable place to quarantine will be accommodated in designated facilities provided by the Canadian government. Those presenting symptoms of Ebola disease will be isolated in hospitals for further medical assessment. The measures are being enforced under Canada’s Quarantine Act.

However, the Canadian government clarified that individuals already in Canada will not be affected by the new restrictions and may continue staying for their authorised period, while Canadian citizens and permanent residents will still be permitted to return to Canada, but will undergo screening at ports of entry.

Canadian authorities said the risk of Ebola to people in Canada remains low but stressed that the government was taking a precautionary approach due to the severity of the disease and the changing international situation, including concerns linked to the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

Canada’s minister of Health, Marjorie Michel, said the measures are intended to minimise the risk of Ebola entering the country while ensuring travellers are managed according to their level of risk.

“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,” Michel said.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the restrictions were necessary to protect Canadians and strengthen border controls against emerging public health threats. The Canadian government said it will continue monitoring the situation and may adjust the measures depending on developments in Uganda, the region, and internationally.

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المصدر: The Observer (Uganda)