Canada will deny entry to all foreign nationals who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the preceding 21 days, a temporary border measure that took effect on Monday. The Public Health Agency of Canada announced the restriction late Sunday, citing the need to reduce the public health risk posed by the Ebola outbreak in central Africa. The ban applies to commercial and private air carriers, which are now prohibited from boarding such passengers on flights to Canada. The move directly contravenes the World Health Organization’s standing advice that travel and trade restrictions are ineffective and can stigmatise affected communities, hampering outbreak control.

Viewed from Kinshasa, the outbreak is the third largest on record. Congolese authorities have confirmed 2,267 cases and 893 deaths as of 17 July, with a case fatality rate of 39.4%. The epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, has spread across five provinces, with Ituri remaining the epicentre. No approved vaccine or specific treatment exists for this strain. Uganda, which recorded 20 confirmed cases including two fatalities, discharged its last patient last week and has begun a 42-day countdown to declare the outbreak over. The WHO assesses the risk of international spread as low, though it considers the regional risk in sub-Saharan Africa to be high.

Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and individuals registered under the Indian Act are exempt from the entry ban. However, if they have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days, they must undergo a health assessment upon arrival and complete a 21-day quarantine. This quarantine requirement has been in place since 30 May and, together with the new foreign-national ban, will remain in force until 29 August. Ottawa’s health agency stressed that no travel-related Ebola cases have ever been reported in Canada and that the overall risk to the Canadian population is considered low.

Viewed from Geneva, the WHO has consistently argued that such border closures can drive transmission underground and divert resources from effective containment. The agency noted last month that people from affected regions and African communities have faced unjust suspicion. Canada’s decision to proceed with the ban, despite the low global risk assessment, reflects a precautionary approach that prioritises domestic health security. The next factual milestone is the scheduled expiry of the measures on 29 August, unless renewed.