Canada temporarily bans foreign visitors from DRC over Ebola

Canada has temporarily barred foreign nationals who have visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) within the previous 21 days from entering the country, citing the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. The Public Health Agency of Canada announced the measure on July 19, 2026, stating it will take effect on July 20 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

The new policy is part of a series of border measures intended to mitigate the risk of the virus entering Canada. Officials emphasized the action is precautionary, noting the health risk to Canadians is considered low and that no travel-related Ebola cases have been reported in the country to date. An interim order under the Aeronautics Act will also require commercial and private air carriers to prevent affected individuals from boarding flights to Canada.

The ban does not apply to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. However, those returning from the DRC, as well as from Uganda and South Sudan, are already subject to a mandatory 21-day quarantine upon arrival. That quarantine requirement is scheduled to expire on August 29.

The decision follows a recent update from the World Health Organization (WHO), which warned that...