Ebola Exposure Risk Order for Canada

Summary#

The federal government, through the Public Health Agency of Canada, has issued the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order, 2026, No. 2. It applies to travellers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, or other countries later designated as high-risk, and is in force from August 30, 2026 to September 28, 2026 (with some travellers covered until October 19, 2026).

What it does#

• Prohibits most foreign nationals who were in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 21 days before trying to enter Canada from doing so.
• Requires anyone who has been in the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, or any country the Minister of Health later labels “high” or “very high” risk in the last 21 days to:
  • be identified on arrival and get a health assessment from a quarantine officer, and
  • if asymptomatic, provide a suitable quarantine plan and quarantine for 21 days, or be placed in a quarantine facility if they can’t provide a plan, and
  • if symptomatic, undergo a medical exam and immediately isolate (usually in a medical facility) for at least 21 days or until they are judged not to pose a public health risk.
• Lets certain groups enter despite the ban (exemptions), including:
  • crew members and some air/transport staff;
  • diplomats and some accredited foreign representatives and their eligible immediate family members;
  • people coming to provide medical care or transport essential medical supplies;
  • members of the Canadian Forces and certain visiting forces;
  • persons registered under the Indian Act;
  • people the Minister of Health says are in the national interest (some of these require an exemption letter from the Public Health Agency of Canada).
• Allows travellers who stay only in an airport sterile transit area to be exempt from most of the Order while they are transiting through Canada.
• Reinforces that federal powers and routine reporting duties under the Quarantine Act still apply.

Who's affected#

• Travellers who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, or any other country later designated as high- or very-high-risk in the past 21 days.
• Foreign nationals who were in the DRC in the previous 21 days (subject to listed exemptions).
• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and people registered under the Indian Act who return from those countries — they may enter but will face quarantine and monitoring rules.
• Airlines and other travel operators indirectly, because they must check exemption letters where required and continue their usual reporting duties under the Quarantine Act.
• It is unclear from the Order how some edge cases will be handled in practice; quarantine officers have discretion in several places.

Why it matters#

• The Order is a short-term border measure aimed at reducing the chance Ebola (currently a serious outbreak in parts of Africa) reaches or spreads in Canada.
• It can disrupt travel plans: some travellers will be refused entry, others must quarantine for 21 days, and symptomatic travellers must isolate and get medical care.
• Non-compliance can carry heavy penalties: fines up to $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.
• The measure is temporary but can affect people’s movement, work, and family plans while it is in force.