Jonathan Likongo, a student at Université de Montréal, had initially planned to visit his family in Kinshasa after two years of studying in Montreal this summer. However, concerned about potential travel restrictions, he decided to stay in Canada.
His cautious decision proved to be wise as Canada implemented temporary entry restrictions in response to the Ebola outbreak, barring certain foreign nationals from central African countries. Moreover, foreign nationals who had recently been to the Democratic Republic of Congo were denied entry within the past 21 days, with these measures set to last until Aug. 29.
These restrictions have posed challenges for students like Likongo, particularly impacting those who had holiday travel plans disrupted. Likongo, a member of the Congolese Students’ Association at Université de Montréal, expressed the unexpected nature of the restrictions during the holiday season.
Impact on Students
Several universities in Quebec are grappling with the implications of these measures, affecting hundreds of students from countries like the D.R.C., Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda. Université de Montréal, for instance, has 170 incoming students from affected countries for the fall term, in addition to 182 students already enrolled. Similarly, Université Laval and Université du Québec à Montréal are assisting affected students to navigate the situation.
These universities are offering various solutions to mitigate the impact, such as allowing students to defer admission, start classes remotely, or adjust their registration deadlines. However, for students outside Canada, uncertainty looms over what will happen post-Aug. 29.
Future Steps
Health Canada stated that it is closely monitoring the Ebola outbreak and will evaluate the measures in place before they potentially expire. This ongoing assessment aims to align with the latest evidence and international collaboration.
For Likongo and other students separated from their families, the hope is for a resolution soon, allowing them to reunite with their loved ones. The uncertainty surrounding the situation has underscored the challenges faced by these students during this period.