Canada and the Bahamas announced on Tuesday they will bar entry for 90 days to residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, joining the United States in rolling out travel bans as countries tighten border controls in response to a fast‑spreading Ebola outbreak.
The measures come as the Bundibugyo strain continues to spread in eastern DRC and western Uganda, prompting the World Health Organisation to declare the crisis a public health emergency of international concern and warn that the risk of a national outbreak in the DRC is now “very high.”
Canada said the temporary restrictions, which take effect Wednesday, are intended to reduce the risk of Ebola entering the country.
Residents of the three affected nations will be barred from entry for 90 days while Canadian citizens, permanent residents and other travellers who have recently been in the outbreak zones but show no symptoms will be required to quarantine for 21 days.
The Bahamas said its own restrictions would take immediate effect, with enhanced screening and possible quarantines for travellers who were in the affected countries within the past 30 days.
The US imposed a similar 30‑day ban last week on non‑citizens who have travelled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days.
The policy has already caused disruptions, including the diversion of a flight to Canada after a passenger from the DRC was found onboard and has affected the DRC men’s football team’s World Cup preparations.
Infectious‑disease experts have criticised the approach, arguing that bans based on nationality rather than scientific risk assessment are unlikely to stop cross‑border transmission.
Canada and the Bahamas said their measures would remain under review as the situation evolves.
JN/APA