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
Due to an Ebola outbreak, Canada is temporarily suspending certain immigration documents for residents of:
- Uganda
- South Sudan
- the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The suspension will last until August 28, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET.
If you live in one of these countries, you won't be allowed to travel to Canada during this suspension period, even if you have an approved:
- temporary resident visa
- permanent resident visa
- electronic travel authorization (eTA)
If you live in one of these countries, visit:
From May 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET until August 29, 2026, we will assess you on arrival into Canada if you:
- are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, person registered under the Indian Act, or a foreign national and
- have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days
You'll have to follow specific public health measures based on this assessment. Even if you're only transiting through these countries, you must still follow quarantine or isolation requirements. There are no exemptions for individuals who transit through these countries or for refuelling.
Exemptions to border measures
Some travellers may be exempt from these measures, including having to quarantine for 21 days.
You will still have to monitor for symptoms and follow all the instructions from a quarantine officer if you develop symptoms of Ebola disease. The officer will give you a handout with information on monitoring your health and what to do if you develop symptoms.
If you develop any symptoms:
- isolate from others immediately, including household members and pets
- do not have physical contact with others
- remain 2 metres apart at all times
- call your local public health authority
- describe your symptoms over the phone
- tell them your recent travel history
- follow their advice
Contact your local health authority
List of exempted travellers
Exempted travellers include a:
- crew member or someone who enters Canada only to become a crew member, as defined in subsection:
- 101.01(1) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, which means a person who is assigned to duty:
- in an aircraft during flight time
- related to the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft system during flight time
- 3(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, which means a person who works on a vehicle (like a plane, ship or train) where they perform duties:
- while in port
- during a voyage or trip
- related to the operation of the vehicle or providing services to passengers and other crew members
- 3(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, which means a person who works on a vehicle (like a plane, ship or train) where they perform duties:
- person carrying out official duties as a diplomat, consular officer, representative or official of:
- a country other than Canada
- the United Nations or any of its agencies
- any intergovernmental organization of which Canada is a member
- that person's immediate family members are also exempt
- person who is invited to Canada by the health minister to assist in the Ebola disease response
- member of the Canadian Forces who enters Canada to perform their duties
- member of a visiting force who enters Canada to perform their duties
- defined in section 2 of the Visiting Forces Act
- person who enters Canada to:
- provide medical care
- transport or collect essential medical equipment, supplies or treatments
- deliver, install, maintain or repair medically necessary equipment or devices
- person who might normally have to quarantine, but in the opinion of the health minister:
- doesn't pose a risk of significant harm to public health
- is in the national interest
- the person must comply with all quarantine conditions 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:
- are eligible to come to Canada and
- have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan
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 of life, 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 one.
Arriving in Canada
You'll receive a health assessment when you arrive in Canada if you:
- are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, person registered under the Indian Act or a foreign national and
- have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days
If you don't have symptoms of Ebola disease, you'll have to quarantine for 21 days after your date of entry to Canada. You must go directly to your place of quarantine and follow instructions from a quarantine officer.
You will also receive a kit that includes a:
- handout with instructions
- digital thermometer
- daily health record
This kit will help you complete your daily health checks during your 21-day quarantine period.
If you have symptoms of Ebola disease, you'll:
- 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 follow your quarantine plan by:
- providing the address and contact information of your quarantine location to the quarantine officer
- reporting your arrival at your place of quarantine within 48 hours of arriving in Canada
- staying at your quarantine location for 21 days following the date you entered Canada
- avoid direct contact with other people in your household
- avoid all contact with people outside your household unless to seek medical care
- you may go outside for fresh air or well-being but can't have direct contact with others
- make sure you have contactless access to heat, food, water and medication (such as through delivery services)
- make sure you have access to local public health services
- you can't have visitors
- monitoring for symptoms of Ebola disease daily and reporting on your health to a government official
- calling the local public health authority immediately if you start to develop Ebola disease symptoms
- you'll have to isolate in a medical facility for 21 days from the day your symptoms start
- washing your hands and cleaning spaces such as washrooms regularly
If you have symptoms of Ebola disease and you're in isolation or treatment, you'll 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's safe for you to leave
Learn more:
Daily temperature check and reporting
Take your temperature with the thermometer provided in your kit:
- twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening)
- at any time if you begin feeling sick
Do not share your thermometer with anyone else.
To use your thermometer:
- wash your hands with soap and water before use
- put the thermometer under your tongue for 10 seconds or until you hear a beep to get an accurate reading
- clean the thermometer after use, following the manufacturer's instructions
Write the following details in your daily health record for the next 21 days.
- Your temperature
- The date and time
- Any symptoms you develop
- Any medications you took
A government official will call you during your quarantine. Give them the details of your daily health record as requested.
If symptoms appear, isolate from others and contact your local public health authority immediately.
| Date | Morning | Evening | Medications taken today | Other Ebola symptoms | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time (AM) | Temperature reading | Time (PM) | Temperature reading | ||||
| Day 1 | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
Penalties and fines
Failure to comply with these and other related measures are offences under the Quarantine Act. The maximum penalties are a fine of up to $1,000,000, imprisonment for 3 years or both.