Ebola outbreak stirs fears of Covid-style trade curbs in East Africa
A health worker screens travellers at the Kanyaruchinya checkpoint in Goma, DRC, amid Cefforts to contain the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak on May 20, 2026.
The latest Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has rekindled fears of Covid-era trade restrictions, as neighbouring states rush to impose border controls despite warnings from health agencies against closures.
Although both the World Health Organiation (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised against shutting borders or curtailing movements, Congo’s neighbours quickly launched stricter screening of travellers. Rwanda also partially blocked the border crossing with Congo, eliciting criticism from Kinshasa.
