Canada Bars Foreign Nationals Recently in DRC Amid Ebola Outbreak

Ottawa has announced new temporary border measures in response to the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including a temporary ban on entry for foreign nationals who have recently been in the country.

Effective 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 20, 2026, any foreign national who has been in the DRC within the previous 21 days will be prohibited from entering Canada.

To support the measure, an Interim Order under the Aeronautics Act requires commercial and private air carriers not to allow affected foreign nationals to board flights bound for Canada.

The new restrictions build on temporary border measures introduced by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) under the Quarantine Act, which took effect on May 30 and remain in force until Aug. 29, 2026.

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PHAC said the measures are being implemented "out of an abundance of caution," noting that the health risk to Canadians remains low and that no travel-related Ebola cases have been reported in Canada to date.

According to the government, limiting entry for foreign nationals who have recently been in the DRC is intended to reduce public health risks while helping border officials safely process travellers arriving in Canada, including returning humanitarian workers.

There is no change to entry requirements for Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons registered under the Indian Act who have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days. They may continue to enter Canada but will undergo a health assessment upon arrival and must complete a 21-day quarantine.

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PHAC is also reminding Canadians planning international travel to review the Government of Canada's Travel Advice and Advisories before departure.

The agency updated its Level 2 travel health notice for Ebola disease in the DRC on May 19, while travellers to Uganda are advised to consult the outbreak monitoring alert for that destination.

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