Ebola border rules tightened for DRC travelers

Summary#

This is an amendment to the federal quarantine order called Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order, 2026. It bars most foreign nationals who were in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the previous 21 days from entering Canada, with a short list of exemptions, and it took effect at 23:59:59 Eastern Daylight Time on July 20, 2026.

What it does#

• Adds a definition so that “foreign national” matches the meaning in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• Prohibits a foreign national from entering Canada if they were in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 21 days before trying to enter.
• Lists exemptions to that prohibition, including:
  • air and other crew members;
  • accredited diplomats and their immediate family;
  • people invited by the Minister of Health to assist with the Ebola response;
  • visiting forces performing duties;
  • people entering to provide or move medical care or essential medical equipment;
  • people the Minister deems not a public-health risk or whose entry is in the national interest;
  • a person registered as an Indian under the Indian Act;
  • people on flights scheduled to arrive in Canada no later than July 21, 2026.
• Requires some exempted people (categories like diplomats, medical workers, or those granted a national-interest exemption) to obtain an exemption letter from the Public Health Agency of Canada and, if flying, to show it to the air carrier before boarding.
• States the Order came into force at 23:59:59 EDT on July 20, 2026. The explanatory note says the measures are in effect through August 29, 2026.
• Notes that failing to follow this and related Quarantine Act measures can carry penalties up to $1,000,000 and/or 3 years imprisonment.

Who's affected#

• Foreign nationals who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 21 days (they are generally barred from entry unless exempt).
• Travellers (including Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act) who have been in the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, or any country the Minister of Health designates as “high” or “very high” risk in the last 21 days — they may be allowed to enter but typically must quarantine for 21 days and undergo monitoring.
• Air carriers, who must verify exemption letters before allowing some passengers to board flights to Canada.
• Provincial and territorial public health authorities, which would handle quarantine monitoring, assessments and any medical isolation.
• Marine and land operators are not given new specific duties by this Order, but still keep their existing reporting duties under the Quarantine Act.

Why it matters#

• The rule aims to reduce the chance that someone exposed to Ebola brings the virus into Canada. The Government cites an active outbreak centred in the DRC and an Ebola incubation period of up to 21 days as the reason for quick border steps.
• Practically, it can change travel plans and deny entry to many foreign nationals recently in the DRC. Returning Canadians and residents from the DRC or other high‑risk countries may face a mandatory 21‑day quarantine.
• Air travellers who might qualify for an exemption need a written letter from the Public Health Agency of Canada before they fly.
• The measures are temporary and targeted. The Minister of Health can add more countries to the high‑risk list while the order is in effect. The explanatory note gives outbreak context: the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency on May 17, 2026, and reported 2,124 confirmed cases and 828 deaths (as of a July 17, 2026 update).