New border measures against Ebola
Canada will temporarily bar entry to foreign nationals who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo within the past 21 days, effective July 20 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. The measure, announced by the Public Health Agency of Canada, will remain in place until August 29. The agency stated that limiting entry of foreign nationals from Congo may reduce public health risks for Canadians, though the risk remains low and no travel-related cases have been reported.[S1][S2][S3][S4]
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a large Ebola outbreak. As of July 15, the country had reported more than 2,100 cases including 828 deaths. The World Health Organization says over 100 health-care workers have been infected. Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals. Canada’s travel health notice for Congo is at level 3, recommending avoidance of non-essential travel.[S1][S2][S3][S4]
WHO and health experts oppose travel bans
The World Health Organization advises against travel or trade restrictions with Congo, stating such measures create stigma and can make epidemics harder to control. WHO estimates the risk of the outbreak spreading internationally is low and emphasizes that Ebola spread is not determined by nationality or ethnicity. Canada’s decision to deny entry contravenes WHO advice, which the organization reiterated last month.[S1][S2][S3][S4]
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control also recommends against travel bans for people from Congo, warning they can disrupt humanitarian aid and have limited effectiveness. The Public Health Agency of Canada acknowledged that the risk to Canadians remains low and that no travel-related cases have been reported in Canada. The measures are taken out of an abundance of caution, according to the agency.[S1][S2][S3][S4]
Similar measures in U.S. and elsewhere
Last week, the United States introduced similar measures preventing Americans who had been in Congo in the previous 21 days from entering via commercial aviation. Seven American aid workers who had been working in Congo to stop the outbreak are currently quarantining in a facility in Kenya. Canada stated that its updated temporary border measures align with those of the U.S. and Mexico.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5]
Canada had previously suspended immigration documents for residents from Congo, Uganda and South Sudan in late May. No Ebola cases have been confirmed in South Sudan, and Uganda has not reported new cases since last month. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those registered under the Indian Act who have been in those countries must undergo a health assessment and quarantine for 21 days upon return.[S1][S2][S3][S4]
Fines and enforcement
Failure to comply with the new restrictions can result in fines of up to CAD$150,000 for individuals and up to CAD$1.5 million for corporations, according to Mark Johnson, a spokesman for the Public Health Agency. The ban applies to foreign nationals, but Canadian citizens and permanent residents are subject to health assessments and mandatory quarantine. The government says the measures are temporary and intended to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of border processing.[S1][S2][S3][S4]
The new border measures take effect at 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 20 and will remain in place until August 29. Travelers arriving from Congo will be subject to health assessments. The ban does not apply to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or those registered under the Indian Act, but they must quarantine for 21 days. The government says the measures are out of an abundance of caution to protect public health.[S1][S2][S3][S4]
