North American hosts align travel restrictions ahead of World Cup amid Ebola emergency
The three nations have introduced entry bans and quarantine protocols targeting travellers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan to mitigate risks during the tournament.
The United States, Mexico and Canada have announced coordinated public health travel measures to address Ebola risks ahead of the World Cup commencing next month. The joint statement, issued on Thursday, emphasised the health and safety of citizens and visitors but did not specify the precise nature of the aligned protocols beyond general containment efforts.
The decision follows the World Health Organization’s declaration on 17 May that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. The agency cited a high risk of spread to neighbouring countries, prompting the three host nations to step up travel-related containment measures.
Washington has extended its entry ban to include green card holders who have visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days. The restriction, previously applied only to non-citizens, was expanded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday.
Canada has implemented a 90-day ban on residents from the affected countries entering the nation, effective from Wednesday. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and other foreign nationals who have visited these areas in recent weeks but show no symptoms are required to quarantine for 21 days, starting from Saturday.
Mexican Health Secretary David Kershenovich has outlined tighter Ebola screening measures at airports. Mexico has also advised the public to avoid travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and urged arrivals from the country to observe a 21-day quarantine.
The first known case of the current outbreak was a nurse who developed symptoms and died in Bunia, Ituri province, on 24 April. The body of the first case was subsequently repatriated to Mongwalu, a gold-mining town where the majority of cases have been reported.
