Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 0932 EAT on Wednesday 30 September 2026
Canada has extended temporary immigration and border measures affecting travellers from Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over concerns about the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC.
The measures, which were first introduced in May, have been extended for another 60 days until November 27, 2026.
In a statement issued on September 28, the Canadian government said it remained concerned about the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and the evolving risk of the disease spreading to neighbouring countries, including Uganda and South Sudan.
“Canada remains deeply concerned about the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the evolving risk of Ebola disease in neighbouring countries, including Uganda and South Sudan,” the government said.
Under the measures, immigration documents for foreign nationals whose last country of residence was Uganda, South Sudan or the DRC may be suspended, meaning affected individuals cannot travel to Canada even if they hold a previously approved visa, permit or electronic travel authorisation.
Canada said it will continue processing affected immigration applications, but final decisions will not be made while the measures remain in place.
The measures also include health screening and quarantine requirements for some travellers who have recently been in the affected countries.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said immigration documents would remain suspended for residents of countries classified as having a high or very high risk of Ebola, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan.
This means people whose last country of residence at the time of their application was one of the three countries cannot travel to Canada while the measures remain in force, even if they hold a previously approved visa, permit or electronic travel authorisation.
The measures also apply to travellers who have transited through the affected countries.
The extension comes more than a month after Uganda was declared free of Ebola Bundibuyo virus disease, following 42 days without a new confirmed case.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced the end of Uganda’s Ebola outbreak on August 27, after the country completed 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case. The countdown began after the last patient was discharged on July 16.
Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases during the outbreak, including 15 imported cases from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and five locally acquired cases among contacts and health workers linked to imported infections. Two people died, while 18 recovered.
WHO has warned that Uganda remains at risk of reintroduction because of continued Ebola transmission in neighbouring DRC, as well as frequent cross-border movement.
The DRC outbreak remains active. As of August 26, WHO reported 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths, with cases recorded in 60 health zones across six provinces.
Ugandan authorities have previously raised concerns about being grouped with the DRC under international travel measures, noting that most of Uganda’s cases were imported from the DRC and that the outbreak was contained without documented community transmission. WHO has also advised countries against travel and trade restrictions related to Ebola, instead recommending proportionate public-health measures.
Canada has said its measures are intended to reduce the risk of Ebola entering the country. Its immigration authorities will continue processing affected applications but will not finalise them while the measures remain in force.
Public-health experts and advocates have raised concerns about broad travel restrictions, arguing that such measures can have economic and social consequences and may not fully reflect differences in the epidemiological situation between countries.
-Observer
