Jonathan Likongo, a student at Université de Montréal, had planned to visit his family in Kinshasa this summer after two years in Montreal. However, he chose to stay in Canada due to concerns about potential travel restrictions affecting his return. “I was supposed to leave, but as a precaution, I decided not to,” Likongo explained.
His decision proved wise. In response to the Ebola outbreak, Canada implemented temporary measures in May, limiting entry for specific foreign nationals from various central African countries. By July, the restrictions extended to denying entry to foreign nationals who had recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo within the past 21 days. These measures are scheduled to be in effect until Aug. 29.
Likongo, a member of the Congolese Students’ Association at Université de Montréal, highlighted the challenges faced by students aiming to travel during the summer break amidst these unexpected restrictions. “The timing of the illness coincided with the holiday season, catching many off guard,” he noted.
Impact on Students
Quebec universities estimate that hundreds of students could be impacted by these measures, affecting both current enrollees and incoming students for the fall semester. Université de Montréal disclosed that 170 students from the D.R.C. or Sudan have been accepted for the upcoming term, with an additional 182 already enrolled in previous sessions.
Other institutions like Université Laval and Université du Québec à Montréal also reported significant numbers of affected students from central African countries, necessitating individualized solutions to address the situation.
Planning for the Future
As the Aug. 29 deadline approaches, students stranded outside Canada are eager to know what will happen next. Health Canada affirmed its commitment to closely monitoring the Ebola situation and collaborating with international partners to assess the measures effectively before the expiry date.
For Likongo and many others, the uncertainty has resulted in missed opportunities to reunite with family members. He expressed hope for a quick resolution to the crisis, emphasizing the desire for a swift end to the disease to facilitate family reunions in the near future.