Canada announces new measures for people travelling from Ebola-affected regions, citing the outbreak as the basis for added border and immigration controls. The government says travellers entering Canada from affected areas are required to self-isolate for 21 days. Officials also state that people who develop symptoms will be transferred to hospital for further medical assessment. The rules include provisions for those who do not have a place to isolate, with officials saying accommodation will be provided.
In parallel, Canada temporarily pauses aspects of immigration processing. Immigration authorities suspend final decisions on applications for people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, effective Wednesday. The pause lasts 90 days and may be extended or ended depending on how the outbreak evolves. Media reports also indicate a broader impact on immigration documents, including the possibility of suspending large numbers of visas.
The stricter border measures are set to begin Saturday, and Canada says the self-isolation requirement is scheduled to remain in effect until August 29, subject to review.
