Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada
The Government of Canada has introduced temporary border measures to reduce the risk of Ebola disease entering and spreading in Canada. The health risk of Ebola disease to people in Canada is considered low at this time.
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Ebola border measures
Canada is temporarily suspending certain immigration documents for residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan until August 28, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET because of the Ebola outbreak in these countries.
Even if your temporary resident visa, electronic travel authorization (eTA) or permanent resident visa was previously approved, you won’t be allowed to travel to Canada during this suspension period.
If you’re living in one of these countries, please visit:
From May 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET until August 29, 2026, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act, and foreign nationals entering Canada who, in the previous 21 days, have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan will be assessed upon arrival. They will have to follow specific public health measures based on this assessment.
Exemptions to border measures
Some travellers may be exempt from these measures, including the requirement to quarantine for 21 days.
They will still be required to monitor for symptoms and follow all the instructions provided by a quarantine officer if they develop symptoms of Ebola disease. A handout will be provided with information on monitoring their health and what to do if they develop symptoms.
Exempted travellers include a:
- crew member as defined in subsection 101.01(1) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations or a person who enters Canada only to become such a crew member
- member of a crewas defined in subsection 3(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, or a person who enters Canada only to become such a member of a crew
- person acting in the course of their official duties as a properly accredited diplomat, consular officer, representative or official of a country other than Canada, of the United Nations or any of its agencies or of any intergovernmental organization of which Canada is a member, as well as that person’s immediate family members
- person who enters Canada at the invitation of the Minister for the purpose of assisting in the Ebola disease response
- member of the Canadian Forces, who enters Canada for the purpose of performing their duties as a member of that force
- member of a visiting force, as defined in section 2 of the Visiting Forces Act, who enters Canada for the purpose of performing their duties as a member of that force
- person who enters Canada for the purpose of providing medical care, transporting or collecting essential medical equipment, supplies or means of treatment, or delivering, installing, maintaining or repairing medically necessary equipment or devices
- person or any person in a class of persons for whom the release from the requirements set out in sections 5 and 6 of this Order to quarantine themselves, in the opinion of the Minister, does not pose a risk of significant harm to public health or is in the national interest, if the person complies with all conditions imposed on them by a quarantine officer to minimize the risk of introduction or spread of Ebola disease
Before you arrive
You must have a suitable quarantine plan before your arrival to Canada if you have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan and are eligible to come to Canada.
A suitable quarantine plan includes having a place where you:
- can stay, without leaving, for 21 days that begins on the day you enter Canada
- are able to avoid direct contact with other people in your household
- have access to basic necessities, such as food, water and medication (for example, use contactless delivery)
- have access to local public health services
If you don’t have a place where you can quarantine safely, you’ll be provided with an appropriate location.
Arriving in Canada
If you’re a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, person registered under the Indian Act, or a foreign national who, in the previous 21 days, have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, you will receive a health assessment when you arrive to Canada.
If you don’t have symptoms of Ebola disease, you’ll be required to quarantine for 21 days after your date of entry to Canada. You must go directly to your place of quarantine and follow instructions provided to you by a quarantine officer.
You will also be given a kit that includes instructions through a handout, a digital thermometer and a Daily Health Record to help you complete and record daily health checks during your 21-day quarantine period.
If you have symptoms of Ebola disease, you will:
- immediately have a medical examination
- be placed in isolation and receive care at a medical facility or other suitable place
- remain in isolation for 21 days from your date of entry into Canada or the date the symptoms appear (whichever is later)
After your arrival
While in quarantine, you must:
- stay at your quarantine location for 21 days following the date you entered Canada
- avoid all contact with people outside your household unless to seek medical care
- you are permitted to go outside for fresh air or wellbeing but cannot have direct contact with others
- you cannot have visitors
- monitor for symptoms of Ebola disease daily and report on your health to a government official
- call the local public health authority immediately if you start to develop Ebola disease symptoms
- you will have to isolate in a medical facility for 21 days from the day your symptoms start
- wash your hands and clean spaces such as washrooms regularly
If you have symptoms of Ebola disease and you’re in isolation or treatment, you will remain there:
- for 21 days from the day you entered Canada or when your symptoms first appeared (whichever is later) and
- until a quarantine officer determines it is safe for you to leave
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Penalties and fines
Failure to comply with this Order and other related measures under the Quarantine Act are offences under the Quarantine Act. The maximum penalties are a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for 3 years, or both.