Canada imposes 21-day quarantine and border screening for travellers amid Ebola outbreak
Canada now imposes 21-day quarantine and screening for travellers from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan amid Ebola outbreak; measures run May 30–Aug 29, 2026.
The federal government has announced temporary border measures requiring screening and a mandatory 21-day quarantine for travellers linked to a new Ebola outbreak in central and eastern Africa. Canada’s Public Health Agency announced the measures will apply to anyone who has stayed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the 21 days before arrival and will be in force from May 30, 2026, at 23:59 EDT until August 29, 2026. Authorities say the steps are being taken under the Quarantine Act to reduce the risk of Ebola transmission on Canadian soil.
Federal border measures in force
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said travellers who have been in the three named countries within 21 days will be assessed on arrival and required to follow public health directions. The measures apply irrespective of citizenship or immigration status and include screening at points of entry and verification of a quarantine plan before admission to Canada. The temporary order authorizes health officials to assign a suitable quarantine location for travellers who arrive without an adequate plan.
Who must report and the 21-day quarantine requirement
Travellers without symptoms are required to proceed directly to their designated quarantine location and remain there for 21 days while being monitored for signs of Ebola. PHAC guidance specifies that an adequate quarantine plan must provide a safe place to stay, avoidance of close contact with others, and continued access to essential services such as food, medication and public health supports. The agency has emphasized that daily reporting of health status is required during the quarantine period to enable early detection of any developing illness.
Quarantine plans, hotel placements and follow-up
If an arriving traveller cannot demonstrate a sufficient quarantine arrangement, PHAC will designate a location such as a hotel and provide regular follow-up with public health officials. Authorities say the assigned location will include monitoring and support services to ensure the individual can isolate safely and receive basic needs. The measures are framed as temporary, precautionary and focused on preventing onward transmission while maintaining essential supports for those in quarantine.
Assessment and clinical care for symptomatic travellers
Anyone in quarantine who develops symptoms consistent with Ebola will be evaluated and, if necessary, managed by PHAC and local public health authorities. Symptomatic individuals will be assessed for immediate medical care and isolation in an appropriate clinical setting, with coordination among provincial and federal partners. PHAC has signalled that clinical management will follow established infectious disease protocols to protect health-care workers and the public.
Ebola outbreak details cited by African health authorities
The new outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo on May 15, 2026, and regional health agencies have reported confirmed cases and fatalities in several provinces. Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention data cited by international news agencies indicated hundreds of suspected cases and multiple deaths, and cases have also been identified in neighbouring Uganda. Health officials have warned that the virus has been detected across different locations, prompting heightened surveillance and response measures in affected countries.
Implications for travel, airports and public health preparedness
The federal measures are likely to affect airline operations, travel planning and port-of-entry procedures as screening and quarantine logistics are implemented at Canadian airports and border crossings. Travellers planning to come from or through the affected countries are being advised to check official PHAC guidance and to ensure they have a quarantine plan before boarding. Public health and transportation officials will be working to coordinate screenings, isolation arrangements and communication with travellers to minimize disruption while maintaining public safety.
Canada’s decision reflects a precautionary approach aimed at reducing importation risk while international partners respond on the ground in Africa. The temporary use of quarantine powers underscores the federal government’s ability to act under the Quarantine Act when there is a perceived public health threat. Officials have said they will review the measures as new information becomes available and will adjust requirements based on evolving risk assessments and international developments.
PHAC is urging Canadians and travellers to follow travel advisories, maintain awareness of symptoms associated with Ebola, and cooperate with public health instructions if they are screened or placed under quarantine. The agency underscores that early detection and rapid public health response remain the primary tools to prevent local transmission and protect communities across Canada.
