Canada will require travellers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan to quarantine for 21 days upon arrival, effective May 30 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. The measure, announced in response to the Ebola outbreak in those regions, will remain in place until August 29, 2026, as reported by CIC News.

This marks the first time Canada has imposed quarantine requirements on incoming travellers since lifting COVID-19 travel restrictions in 2022. The 21-day quarantine period corresponds to the maximum incubation period for Ebola, during which infected individuals may develop symptoms. The government has indicated it may expand the list of affected countries if the outbreak spreads to other regions.

The quarantine applies to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act, and foreign nationals who have been in any of the three countries within the previous 21 days and do not show symptoms of Ebola. Travellers who lack a suitable location for quarantine will be provided one by the government. Those who arrive with symptoms will be isolated at a hospital for further assessment rather than entering home quarantine.

The quarantine announcement follows a related measure announced May 26, when Canada suspended visitor visas, electronic travel authorizations, and permanent resident visas for residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan for 90 days starting May 27. IRCC also paused processing new applications from residents of those countries during that period. While the visa suspension targets residents of the three countries planning travel to Canada, the quarantine rules cast a wider net—they apply to anyone, regardless of citizenship or residence, who has been in the affected areas within 21 days before arriving in Canada.