Canada bars visas from Ebola-hit countries – Americas – Al Jazeera English.
Canada has suspended visa applications for residents and nationals of countries with “widespread transmission” of the Ebola virus, becoming the second nation after Australia to introduce such a measure.
The countries most severely hit by the worst Ebola outbreak ever are Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Canada has not yet had a case of the disease.
The similar move by Australia was slammed on Wednesday by Dr Margaret Chan, the World Health Organisation’s director general, who said closing borders won’t stop spread of the Ebola virus.
Canadians, including healthcare workers, in West Africa will be permitted to travel back to Canada, the government said.
Kevin Menard, a spokesman for Canada’s immigration ministry, said the government has “instituted a pause” in issuing visas for foreigners from risky countries, but noted “there was room for discretion if we can be assured that someone is not infected with the virus,” according to the Associated Press news agency.
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