Canada Suspends Immigration from Three African Nations Amid Ebola Outbreak

Canada has announced a 90-day suspension of immigration documents and application decisions for residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, citing the need to respond to a fast-moving Ebola outbreak.

The measure, set to take effect May 27 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, comes in response to a Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak that has recorded more than 900 suspected cases and dozens of deaths since mid-May. The suspension applies to new and pending applications, and even current visa holders from the three countries will be barred from entry until at least late August.

“This is vital to respond to the Ebola outbreak and prevent the disease from spreading to Canada,” the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship department said in a public statement.

In addition to the immigration pause, Canada will require Canadians and certain other travelers returning from the affected regions to self-quarantine for 21 days starting May 30.

Global context

Similar travel restrictions have been rolled out in the Bahamas, Thailand, and the United States, according to social media summaries of the evolving situation.

Reaction from Uganda

The decision has drawn frustration from Ugandans, who pointed to the country’s relatively low case numbers and past successes in containing Ebola outbreaks.

“Just when I had the plan! Not good signs for Uganda,” wrote Jim Spire Ssentongo in a post reacting to the news.

Official sources

The announcements were shared by Canadian Immigration and Citizenship as well as the Canada Border Services Agency under the Healthy Canadians initiative. An official notice is available via the government’s posted link.