Thailand’s 21-day Ebola quarantine after DRC travel: what changed since May

The May order focused on travel history, not nationality

Thailand’s National Communicable Disease Committee tightened controls as the Bundibugyo virus outbreak developed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. From 18:00 on 27 May 2026, travelers covered by the measure could be ordered into quarantine for at least 21 days if they had no symptoms. Those showing symptoms were to be isolated for at least 21 days at a state medical facility designated by disease-control authorities.

The scope was tied to recent travel from or through the designated affected countries. It was not a blanket quarantine for African travelers, nor a rule based on passport nationality.

By July, the Department of Disease Control was describing Suvarnabhumi Airport as the permitted arrival point for travelers subject to the Ebola quarantine process. That routing detail, like the wider health measures, was subject to review as the outbreak evolved.

For practical context, see Thailand economy and finance. This development also connects with Thai SEC files Bitkub criminal complaint; inquiry ongoing.

Uganda’s status changed in September

Uganda completed the internationally recognized 42-day period without a new confirmed case after its last patient was discharged, and WHO announced the end of the country’s outbreak on 27 August.

Thailand subsequently moved Uganda out of the legal affected-area designation used for the Ebola controls. The DDC’s legal division published the removal on 18 September. As a result, the original May wording that treated the DRC and Uganda together should no longer be used as if both countries remained under the same entry restriction.

DRC travel remains the part that needs a current check

The situation in the DRC was still active in late September. WHO reported on 25 September that the outbreak had reached 63 health zones across seven provinces, with thousands of confirmed cases recorded since May.

For someone returning to Thailand after staying in or transiting the DRC, the issue is therefore the current DDC designation and entry procedure on the actual travel date. The published Thai revocation concerns Uganda, while the DRC continued to be treated as the active outbreak country in the latest official material reviewed for this article. Screening and routing instructions can be adjusted again if the epidemiological situation changes.