US, Mexico, Canada Announce Ebola-Related Travel Restrictions Ahead of World Cup

The United States, Mexico, and Canada issued a joint statement today announcing that they will adopt consistent public health travel measures for travelers from high-risk Ebola regions in Africa, hoping to protect the safety of their citizens and travelers during the World Cup. Reuters reported that the joint statement did not detail the specific content of the measures, only stating: "As we welcome the world to North America, the health and safety of every resident in the region remains our top priority." The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on May 17 that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) constitutes a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" (PHEIC), noting a high risk of spread to neighboring countries. This decision prompted governments to strengthen travel-related epidemic control measures. The U.S. banned non-U.S. citizens who have traveled to the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past few weeks from entering the country last week. The CDC expanded this ban on the 22nd to include green card holders who have been to these countries in the past 21 days. Canada has banned residents from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan from entering for 90 days, starting from the 27th. According to a statement from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and other foreign nationals who have traveled to affected areas in the past few weeks and are asymptomatic must undergo a 21-day quarantine starting May 30. Mexican Health Minister David Kershenovich announced on the 25th that airport Ebola screening measures would be strengthened, urging citizens to avoid travel to the DRC and requiring those entering from the country to comply with a 21-day quarantine.