Canada has joined Australia in suspending entry visas for people from Ebola-stricken countries in West Africa in an attempt to keep the deadly disease away.
Canada government said on Friday it is suspending visa applications for residents and nationals of countries with “widespread and persistent-intense transmission” of Ebola virus disease.
Canada has not yet had a case of Ebola. Canadians, including health care workers, in West Africa will be permitted to travel back to Canada, the government said.
A similar move by Australia was slammed on Wednesday by Dr. Margaret Chan, the World Health Organization’s Director-General, who said closing borders won’t stop spread of the Ebola virus.
Canadian Health Minister Rona Ambrose said in a statement the “number one priority is to protect Canadians.” Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Alexander said the government would act in the “best interests of Canadians.”
Kevin Menard, a spokesman for Mr. Alexander, said the move is similar to but a bit less restrictive than the one the Australian government announced this week. He later called it “considerably different.”
The government said Canadian citizens or foreign nationals with a visa and foreign nationals who do not require visas will continue to be screened at ports of entry in Canada and will be subject to appropriate health screening.
