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Canada restricts visas amid Ebola scare
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
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anada 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's Conservative government said 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.
The countries most severely hit by the worst Ebola outbreak ever are Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Canada receives very few travelers from those countries, which have no direct flights to Canada.
A similar move by Australia was slammed 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."
