Thursday May 28, 2026 | OTTAWA, ON
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The Government of Canada is taking what it calls decisive action by introducing temporary border measures to reduce the risk of the virus entering and spreading within Canada.
This is in response to the Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and increasing risks in Uganda and South Sudan.
- The Government of Canada intends to suspend immigration documents for residents of countries that have a high or very high risk of outbreak of Ebola disease for the next 90 days beginning May 27, 23:59 EDT. At this time, this includes the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. This will mean that even those with a previously approved temporary resident visa, electronic travel authorization (eTA) or permanent resident visa will not be allowed to travel to Canada while their immigration document is suspended. During this time, we also intend to temporarily pause making decisions on applications for these documents from residents of these countries.
- The government intends to implement an additional measure effective May 30 at 23:59 pm EDT until August 29, 2026, whereby Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act, and foreign nationals, who have been in these areas within the previous 21 days and do not have symptoms, will have to quarantine for 21 days. If they do not have a place where they can quarantine safely, they will be provided with an appropriate location. Travellers who have symptoms will be isolated at a hospital for further assessment. These measures are being implemented under the Quarantine Act.
- Those who are already in Canada are not impacted by these measures, and may continue to stay here for their authorized period of stay. As per standard procedure, these travellers were already screened upon their arrival by a Canada Border Services Agency Border Services Officers. Canadian citizens and permanent residents could still return to Canada and would undergo screening at ports of entry upon their arrival.
Avoid all travel to Congo:
All travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo is to be avoided, says Health Canada.
Risk remains low:
While the risk to people in Canada remains low, the Government of Canada is taking a precautionary approach given the severity of Ebola disease and the evolving international situation, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 ™.
There has never been a case of Ebola disease imported into Canada and there are currently no cases of Ebola disease in North America, says Health Canada in their May 26 news release.
Border measures can change:
The Government of Canada said in their May 26 news release that they continue to monitor the situation closely and will adjust these measures as needed based on available evidence, including the epidemiological situation in Canada and internationally.
Travellers are reminded that border measures may change with little notice and are encouraged to check the latest information before travelling at travel.gc.ca.
Ministers responsible:
The Minister of Health is Marjorie Michel.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister is Lena Metlege Diab.
FIFA-related border measures May 28:
Canada announced strict new border measures and millions in global funding to combat the Ebola crisis, aligning travel restrictions with the U.S. and Mexico ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup games coming up in June and July.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is pausing over 24,000 travel documents for residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan.
Randeep Sarai, Canada’s secretary of state for international development, annoucned today that the government is committing $8 million to support the global response to the ebola outbreak.
Sarai said funds will go to organizations including the World Health Organization, Africa’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Red cross Network.
NDP commentary:
“The growing Ebola outbreak is at risk of becoming one of the deadliest in history,” said NDP Health Critic Heather McPherson in a statement today.
“Viruses do not know borders – and the entire world is at risk from epidemics like these,” said McPherson.
“Today’s announcement makes it clear that Canada’s Liberal government has not yet learned the lessons from the COVID pandemic,” the NDP critic said, adding that $8 million is “a drop in the bucket”.
“And Canada must do far better on vaccines. Access to essential medicines is crucial,” McPherson said today.
“We must not forget that a publicly-funded lab in Winnipeg developed an Ebola vaccine, only for the vaccine to languish on a shelf after a private pharmaceutical company based in the United States bought the patent and refused to distribute it,” said McPherson.
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NEWS SECTIONS: HEALTH | IMMUNIZATION | TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION | FIFA WORLD CUP 2026