Jonathan Likongo, a student at Université de Montréal, had planned to visit his family in Kinshasa this summer after being away for two years in Montreal. However, due to concerns about potential travel restrictions, he decided to remain in Canada.
His decision proved to be wise as Canada implemented temporary measures in May to limit entry for certain foreign nationals from several countries in central Africa, citing the Ebola outbreak. In July, the country announced a stricter policy, 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 August 29.
The timing of these restrictions has been challenging for students, including Likongo, who had intended to travel during the summer break. He expressed that some individuals were caught off guard by the sudden imposition of these limitations.
Impact on Students
Various universities in Quebec have reported that a significant number of students may be impacted by these regulations. Université de Montréal disclosed that 170 students from the D.R.C. or Sudan have been accepted for the upcoming semester, with an additional 182 students from these countries already enrolled in programs. Université Laval and Université du Québec à Montréal are also affected, with hundreds of students facing uncertainties.
These educational institutions are collaborating with students to navigate the challenges presented by the restrictions. At Université de Montréal, undergraduate students are provided until August 29 to make changes to their registration, while graduate students have the flexibility to commence their programs at a later date within a year. Université Laval is offering individual assessments for students, allowing options such as deferring admission, remote learning, or delayed arrival on campus.
Anticipating the Future
Students stranded outside Canada are anxious about what will happen post-August 29. Health Canada stated that they are closely monitoring the Ebola situation and evaluating the restrictions in consultation with global partners. Any decisions regarding the continuation or modification of the measures will be made before the current deadline.
For Likongo and others in a similar situation, the uncertainty has disrupted important family reunions. He expressed his family’s disappointment at missing the opportunity to meet in Kinshasa this summer. Likongo remains hopeful for a resolution soon, wishing for an end to the disease so that families can reunite without hindrances.