Statement - Government of Canada extends temporary border measures in response to Ebola disease outbreak

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Health Canada (HC)

Aug 28, 2026, 10:20 ET

OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Government of Canada is extending the existing temporary border measures for another 30 days in response to the Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The temporary border measures are now in place until September 28, 2026.

Travellers entering Canada who have been in these areas within the previous 21 days and have symptoms of Ebola disease will be isolated at a medical facility upon arrival. People who do not have symptoms will continue to receive a health assessment upon arrival and will be required to quarantine on arrival for 21 days.

Foreign nationals who have visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the past 21 days continue to be prohibited from entering Canada, and the Interim Order under the Aeronautics Act prohibiting private air operators and air carriers from allowing foreign nationals who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the past 21 days to board a direct or indirect flight to Canada, will remain in effect.

Immigration documents remain suspended for residents of countries that have a high or very high risk of Ebola disease outbreak, which includes the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. This means that people who listed one of these countries as their last country of residence on their immigration application will continue to be unable to travel to Canada. This applies even if they have a previously approved visa, permit or electronic travel authorization. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will continue processing new and existing applications from those affected by these measures, but applications will not be finalized while the measures are in place.

There are no cases reported of Ebola disease in Canada. While the risk to people in Canada remains low, the Government of Canada is maintaining a precautionary approach given the severity of Ebola disease and the evolving international situation.

These border measures, in conjunction with other actions taken by the Government of Canada will continue to reduce the risk of Ebola disease from entering and spreading within Canada. Since the outbreak was declared by the World Health Organization in May 2026, Canada has contributed $8 million in international assistance to countries fighting the outbreak. In addition, Health Canada authorized an Ebola vaccine clinical trial led by Moderna in Canada that began on August 4, 2026, strengthening Canada's life sciences and biomanufacturing ecosystem to help address global health challenges.

The Government of Canada welcomes the effective screening and control efforts in Uganda and South Sudan to date, and we recognize the work done by the Democratic Republic of Congo to control the outbreak.

Canada is working closely with Mexico and the United States with the goal of keeping the Ebola virus out of North America. We will continue to monitor the international situation closely and will adjust these measures as needed based on available information, including the latest scientific evidence and the evolving global epidemiological trends.  

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.

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SOURCE Health Canada (HC)

Contacts: Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]; Media Relations, People and Communications Sector, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, [email protected]; Public inquiries: 1-844-280-5020

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Health Canada (HC)