Audio By Carbonatix
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday, May 17, declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and said there was a high risk it could spread to neighbouring countries.
The decision has prompted governments to step up travel-related containment measures. Here is a list of screening steps and travel restrictions announced by different countries.
Keep up with the latest medical breakthroughs and healthcare trends with the Reuters Health Rounds newsletter. Sign up here.
UNITED STATES
Last week, Washington banned non-citizens who had travelled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in recent weeks from entering the United States. On Friday, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended the ban to green card holders who have been in those countries in the past 21 days.
The CDC on Saturday added Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to its travel funnelling list, alongside Washington Dulles. U.S. passport holders returning from affected regions are escorted to designated screening areas for temperature checks, travel history verification, and CDC-led symptom tracking.
UGANDA
Uganda's government said on Wednesday it closed its border with neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, with immediate effect and for four weeks.
Ebola response teams, humanitarian and security operations, and food and cargo transport are exempt from the closure, senior health official Diana Atwine said at a press conference. Any person authorized to enter Uganda from Congo would be required to undergo mandatory self-isolation for 21 days, she added.
CANADA
The Canadian government said on Tuesday that residents from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan will be banned from entering Canada for 90 days starting Wednesday.
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
The Bahamian government said on Tuesday that a ban on residents from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan will take immediate effect and remain in place for 30 days.
The Bahamas also announced enhanced health screenings and possible quarantines for foreigners who were present in those countries within 30 days of arriving in the Caribbean country.
INDIA
India has launched screening and surveillance measures at airports and other entry points, issued advisories on precautions, and urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.
JORDAN
On May 19, the Jordanian government suspended entry for travellers arriving from the DRC and Uganda, according to the Jordanian state agency.
BAHRAIN
Bahrain said on May 19 it was suspending for 30 days the entry of foreign travellers arriving from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
CAYMAN ISLANDS
The Cayman Islands government said on May 20 it would implement enhanced screening measures as a precaution after a flight landed carrying two passengers with a recent travel history to the DRC.
THAILAND
Thailand's Public Health Ministry said on Tuesday that passengers arriving from the DRC and Uganda will be allowed to enter the country only through Suvarnabhumi Airport, where they will undergo screening.
Travellers from or through those countries will be required to quarantine for at least 21 days if they do not have symptoms, and will be referred to isolation for at least 21 days if they have symptoms compatible with Ebola virus disease.
KENYA
The Kenyan Ministry of Health said on Monday it has enhanced screening of travellers at high-risk points of entry, coordinated through the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) under the fully activated National Incident Management System. Isolation and holding facilities have been activated in designated border locations to support potential containment efforts, the ministry added.
EUROPEAN UNION The European Union's Health Security Committee said on Friday entry screenings were not necessary for passengers arriving from the DRC and Uganda, citing low risk to the population.
MEXICO
Mexico's Health Secretary, David Kershenovich, addressed the media on Monday, outlining tighter Ebola screening measures at airports, urging the public to avoid travel to Congo, and asking arrivals from the country to observe a 21-day quarantine.
Latest Stories
-
Black Stars jersey sales surge as fans rally behind team ahead of Panama clash
8 minutes -
Nigerian man jailed for storing human faeces outside his home
9 minutes -
MPs hold ‘jama’ session ahead of Black Stars opener against Panama
16 minutes -
Failure to beat Panama in World Cup group stage will be disappointing – Ghanaian fans to Black Stars
41 minutes -
NPP disputes claims over Afari Military Hospital, says project is 98% complete
52 minutes -
We owe no contractors on Accra-Tema Motorway project – Road Minister
53 minutes -
Iran soccer team ordered to depart US immediately after World Cup matches
57 minutes -
Black Stars must approach Panama clash cautiously – Football analyst
57 minutes -
Search for six-year-old Ebola patient after armed men storm DR Congo hospital
58 minutes -
Zoomlion, NADMO and Dredge Masters intensify flood prevention efforts across Accra
1 hour -
Mary Akosua Takpo
1 hour -
The sale is lost in the silence: Why follow-up discipline is the most underrated driver of revenue
1 hour -
Minority commends Roads Minister for leadership, performance
1 hour -
2026 World Cup: We need to win for Partey – Kwasi Sibo
1 hour -
Estonian Business Angels Network partners with Pan African AI Summit 2026
2 hours