Canada's health minister defends Ebola-related travel restrictions after African CDC opposes them

Canadian Health Minister Marjorie Michel faced heat from reporters Thursday, questioning her for the government's decision Tuesday to require incoming travellers from all Ebola-affected regions to self-isolate for 21 days effective immediately. Asked how Canada is justifying these travel restrictions after condemnation from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention – who suggested they are fueled by fear and not rooted in science – Michel said the decision was made in alignment with the U.S. and Mexico, as all three countries begin hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup games next month. "I think FIFA is the key element because, as you know, people are traveling a lot during FIFA, and even if Canada still remains low-risk, we are taking all the precautionary measures. And, we are aligning with the U.S. and Mexico to have the same kind of measures," Michel said. Asked if the U.S. was pressuring Canada to implement these controversial measures, Michel said, "no." Prior to the minister's comments comments, Randeep Sarai, Canada’s secretary of state for international development, announced that the government is committing $8 million to support the global response to the outbreak. Sarai said funds will go to organizations including the WHO, African CDC and the Red Cross Network. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/11865087/as-ebola-spreads-canada-to-require-21-day-isolation-for-those-from-region/ Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on TikTok HERE: https://www.tiktok.com/@globalnews.ca?lang=en #GlobalNews #Canada #Ebola #Cdnpoli #health #fifa #worldcup