TORONTO (AP) — Canadian authorities announced Tuesday they will mandate a 21-day quarantine period for visitors arriving from regions experiencing Ebola outbreaks, while also putting a temporary hold on immigration application decisions for people from Congo, South Sudan and Uganda.
Luc Brisebois, director-general for the Centre for Border and Travel Health at the Public Health Agency of Canada, explained the policies are being put in place as an “abundance of caution” and will remain effective through Aug. 29.
Any visitors showing symptoms will be transported to medical facilities for additional evaluation. These enhanced border controls take effect Saturday, with Canadian officials providing isolation accommodations for those who lack suitable quarantine locations.
Canadian authorities also announced that beginning Wednesday, they will suspend final rulings on immigration requests from individuals in outbreak-affected nations for a 90-day period, though this timeframe may be adjusted depending on how the health crisis develops.
The current outbreak is concentrated in northeastern Congo and involves an uncommon strain of Ebola that is overwhelming containment efforts, according to the World Health Organization, which reports over 900 suspected infections and more than 220 fatalities. Relief operations have been stepped up, and WHO officials indicate the outbreak may continue for several months.
