The Canadian government has implemented a temporary travel restriction, barring foreign nationals who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) within the past 21 days from entering Canada.

This measure, announced by the Public Health Agency of Canada, aims to mitigate the risk of importing the Ebola virus, which is currently experiencing its third-largest outbreak on record.The World Health Organization reports over 2,100 cases and 864 deaths in the DRC, prompting Ottawa to enforce stricter border controls.

While the ban does not apply to Canadian citizens or permanent residents, who must undergo a 21-day quarantine if they have traveled to Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan, the government emphasizes that the risk to Canadians remains low.

Health officials note that transmission of Ebola requires direct contact with bodily fluids, and no domestic cases have been reported from travelers returning from affected regions.

The policy also allows for the safe processing of arriving travelers, including humanitarian workers, while balancing public health concerns with border security.

Despite the measures, standard air travel between Canada and Congo remains low, with approximately 1,000 passengers traveling monthly, mostly Canadian citizens.Historically, Ebola outbreaks in the DRC have not led to significant importations into Canada, reinforcing the government’s cautious approach.