Canada bars entry to recent Congo travelers despite UN guidance

Canada has introduced stricter entry measures for travelers recently in the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite concerns raised over the move's alignment with United Nations guidance.

The Canadian government said on Sunday it would deny entry to any foreigners who has been ‌to Dr. Congo within the past 21 days as part of new, temporary border measures to combat the spread of Ebola.

The policy has drawn attention as governments balance national security priorities with global recommendations on travel and movement.

The decision reflects Ottawa's focus on border security and public safety, while critics argue that such restrictions could affect humanitarian access and international cooperation.

The ban contravenes advice from the World Health Organization, which advises against travel or trade restrictions with Congo, where officials are currently struggling to contain a large outbreak of Ebola.

The U.N. health agency says travel restrictions create stigma and can make epidemics harder to control.

"People from affected regions and African communities have faced unfair suspicion," WHO said in a statement last month.

"The spread of Ebola is not determined by nationality or ethnicity." WHO estimates that the risk of Congo's Ebola outbreak spreading internationally is low.

Ebola is mostly spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone infected with the disease. As of July 15, Congo had reported more than 2,100 Ebola cases including 828 deaths.

Last week, the U.S. introduced measures preventing Americans who had been in Congo in the previous 21 days from entering the U.S. via commercial aviation.

Seven American aid workers who had been working in Congo to stop the outbreak are currently quarantining in a facility in Kenya.

This marks a major escalation from May, when travelers from the region were allowed entry but subjected to mandatory isolation.

In a statement on Sunday, Canada's Public Health Agency said "limiting entry of foreign nationals who have been ‌in Congo in the previous 21 days may reduce public health risks for Canadians."

Under the new directive by the Public Health Agency of Canada PHAC, commercial and private air carriers are legally required to deny boarding to any foreign national who has traveled to the DRC in the preceding three weeks.

As per the Public Health Agency of Canada, the measures will take effect from Monday, July 20.