Canada is strengthening its health measures in response to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. Ottawa announced that, starting Saturday, travellers arriving from affected areas will be required to undergo a mandatory 21-day self-isolation period.
Canadian authorities are also suspending, for an initial period of 90 days, the processing of several immigration applications from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, this decision aims to prevent any risk of the virus spreading, as more than 900 suspected cases and more than 220 deaths have been recorded in the region.
The government maintains that the risk remains low in Canada, but believes it is necessary to act quickly due to increased summer travel and the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
All affected travelers will be subject to enhanced health checks at the borders. Individuals exhibiting symptoms will be immediately attended to by medical services.
Authorities clarify that this is not a total entry ban, but a temporary public health precaution. No cases of Ebola have been reported in Canada or elsewhere in North America to date.
