As Ebola cases continue to spread in parts of Central and East Africa, the Government of Canada is moving quickly to strengthen border protections and reduce the risk of the virus entering the country.

On May 26, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced a series of temporary border measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with increasing risks in Uganda and South Sudan. The measures, which begin taking effect this week, are designed to limit potential transmission while maintaining a precautionary public health posture ahead of major international travel activity tied to the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Under the new measures, Canada intends to suspend immigration documents for residents of countries deemed to have a high or very high Ebola outbreak risk for 90 days beginning May 27 at 23:59 EDT. At present, the affected countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.

The suspension means that previously approved temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), and permanent resident visas issued to residents of those countries will temporarily no longer permit travel to Canada. Ottawa also plans to pause decision-making on new applications from residents of the affected states during the same period.

Health officials emphasized that the steps are precautionary and reflect the severity of Ebola disease, even as the risk to Canadians remains low.

“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. We will continue to take action guided by science and evidence to protect Canadians,” stated the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health.

Additional quarantine measures are also set to take effect on May 30 at 23:59 EDT and remain in place until August 29, 2026. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act, and foreign nationals who have been in affected regions within the previous 21 days — but who are not showing symptoms — will be required to quarantine for 21 days upon arrival in Canada.

Travellers without a safe location to quarantine will be provided with an appropriate facility. Anyone presenting symptoms will be isolated in hospital for further medical assessment under the Quarantine Act.

The government noted that travellers already in Canada are not impacted by the new restrictions and may continue their authorized stay. Canadian citizens and permanent residents will still be permitted to return home, though they will undergo screening at ports of entry.

Immigration officials say the measures are intended to reinforce Canada’s border integrity while responding proactively to a fast-evolving global health situation.

“Canadians can be assured that their health and safety is our top priority. The measures we plan to introduce are necessary to protect Canadians and reinforce the integrity of our border against this threat to public health. We will continue to take proactive and decisive action in response to the emerging Ebola outbreak,” explained the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Canadian officials stressed that there has never been a case of Ebola disease imported into Canada and that there are currently no cases in North America. Still, with international travel volumes expected to rise significantly this summer, Ottawa says it will continue monitoring the epidemiological situation closely and adjust measures as needed.

Travellers are being advised to monitor official government updates before departure, as border measures may change with little notice.