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REUTERS Oct. 31,2014
OTTAWA - Canada will stop issuing visas to people from the three West African nations where Ebola is widespread--- Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone-- the government said on Friday.
Canada, which has not reported any cases of Ebola, is following in the footsteps of Australia, which on Tuesday became the first rich nation to issue such a ban. The country's official in charge of the response to Ebola said the move was medically unjustified.
Under the new regulations, which come into force immediately, Canada will not process visa applications from foreign nationals who have been in an Ebola-affected country within the previous three months.
The Conservative government's decision drew fire from Canada's opposition New Democratic Party.
"The experts we’re relying on to fight Ebola are saying this is not the right approach," the party's health critic Libby Davies said in a statement.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/31/us-health-ebola-canada-idUSKBN0IK27T20141031
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Sierra Leone accuses Canada of discrimnation
Canada's immigration minister Chris Alexander had described the move as a precautionary measure building on actions "taken to protect the health and safety of Canadians here at home".
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/11/sierra-leone-canada-ebola-row-2014111223840578859.html
WHO asks Canada to justify visa ban
CANADIAN PRESS Nov. 5, 2014
By Helen Banswell
The World Health Organization has asked Canada to justify its decision to limit travel to this country from the West African countries combating Ebola.
The federal government announced Friday it would not issue new travel visas for residents or citizens of countries with widespread and persistent Ebola transmission. As well, it has put a halt on the processing of permanent residency visas for people from those countries.
Canada’s move contravenes the International Health Regulations which stipulate that in infectious disease outbreaks, countries should not impose trade or travel sanctions against affected countries beyond what the WHO has recommended.
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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/who-asks-canada-to-justify-visa-ban-for-residents-of-ebola-affected-countries/article21452223/