Canada, Bahamas impose Ebola-related travel bans
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The World Health Organization on May 22 raised the risk of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola turning into a national outbreak to “very high” in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON – Canada and the Bahamas said on May 26 they will temporarily ban residents from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan amid an Ebola outbreak.
Residents from those countries will be banned from entering Canada for 90 days starting on May 27, the Canadian government said.
It said the temporary border measure aimed to reduce the risk of Ebola entering and spreading within Canada.
The Bahamian government added that its entry restrictions would take immediate effect and remain in place for a period of 30 days, subject to review by the Caribbean country’s health ministry.
Reuters first reported that the archipelago would impose such a travel ban.
The World Health Organization on May 22 raised to “very high” the risk of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola turning into a national outbreak in the DRC and has declared the outbreak there and in Uganda an emergency of international concern.
Last week, Washington banned non-citizens who had travelled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in recent weeks from entering the United States.
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and other foreign nationals who have been in affected areas in recent weeks and do not have symptoms will have to quarantine for 21 days from May 30, according to a statement from Canada’s public health agency.
The Bahamas also announced enhanced health screenings and possible quarantines for foreigners who were present in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within 30 days of arriving in the Caribbean country.
No cases of Ebola have been reported in the United States, Canada or the Bahamas. REUTERS
