Canada has suspended entry for foreign nationals traveling from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan as part of new measures aimed at containing the spread of Ebola.
The restrictions apply to temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), and certain permanent resident visas that had already been approved. Residents of the three countries holding these documents will not be allowed to travel to Canada while the measures remain in effect.
Ottawa also said it would temporarily suspend the processing of some new immigration applications submitted by residents of the affected countries.
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and individuals registered under the Indian Act will still be allowed to enter the country, including those who recently traveled to the affected regions.
Starting May 30 at 11:59 p.m., asymptomatic travelers arriving from the three countries will be required to complete a 21-day quarantine. Travelers showing symptoms will be transferred to hospital facilities for further medical assessment under Canada’s Quarantine Act.
Authorities said foreign nationals already in Canada will not be affected by the new measures and may continue to stay in the country under the existing conditions of their permits or visas.
International response
The move comes as countries tighten health controls in response to the Ebola outbreak. The United States has already imposed entry restrictions on non-U.S. citizens who recently visited the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan. Uganda has also introduced restrictions on passenger travel to and from the DRC, although cargo shipments and essential supplies continue to move freely.
According to data released in late May by Congolese health authorities, the DRC had recorded 121 confirmed Ebola cases, including 17 deaths. Authorities also reported more than 1,077 suspected cases and 238 suspected deaths. At the time, the outbreak had spread across 13 health zones in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
Ronsard Luabeya
