Canada Raises Travel Advisories for UAE & Jordan, Adds Ebola Border Measures

Global Affairs Canada continues to revise travel advice for several Middle Eastern destinations as the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran appears to have completely broken down.

Advisories for Jordan, Qatar, UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia are now at Level 3 (Orange), warning Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel.

Travellers are being urged to monitor advisories closely, as airspace closures, flight disruptions and security risks can change quickly. 

The news is a blow to tourism prospects for the region, which had been improving after the U.S. and Iran announced a ceasefire agreement. Ottawa eased advisories for Jordan and the UAE three weeks ago as the fighting subsided, but nine straight days of U.S. bombings in Iran and retaliatory Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in neighbouring countries forced the government to raise the warnings again.

A major victim of the conflict is Jordan, where tourism is all-important. The nation suffered through COVID and the war in Gaza, and just when things appeared to look up, the U.S./Israel/Iran conflict erupted, once again strangling the inbound flow of visitors.

On July 6, following the easing of travel advisories, G Adventures announced that it would return to Jordan effective August 1.

“We’ve always been quick to return to destinations as soon as it is safe to do so, because we’ve seen time and again the vital role tourism plays in supporting local communities and livelihoods,” said Michelle Hudema, G’s Chief Operating Officer, at the time.

With the increased travel advisory, G’s return date to Jordan is likely to be pushed back yet again.

Meanwhile, in response to the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Government of Canada has implemented new temporary border measures to reduce the risk of the disease entering and spreading within Canada. 

As of July 20, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT, any foreign national who was in the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the past 21 days will be prohibited from entering Canada. To support this measure, an Interim Order under the Aeronautics Act is also in place, requiring commercial and private air carriers to not permit foreign nationals to board a flight to Canada.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) previously introduced temporary border measures under the Quarantine Act to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of Ebola disease in Canada. These measures came into effect on May 30 at 11:59 p.m. EDT and are in effect until August 29, 2026. These temporary border measures are out of an abundance of caution, as the health risk to Canadians from Ebola disease is considered low, and no travel-related cases have been reported in Canada to date.

“Limiting entry of foreign nationals who have been in the DRC in the previous 21 days may reduce public health risks for Canadians and is intended to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of border measures that can safely process travellers arriving in Canada, including our returning humanitarian workers,” the Public Health Agency of Canada stated in a press release.

There is no change for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days. They will continue to be able to travel to Canada, will receive a health assessment upon arrival and be required to quarantine on arrival for 21 days. This and all other measures from the previous Order in Council remain in place until August 29, 2026.