The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new travel order requiring all passengers boarding international flights to the United States to confirm they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the previous 21 days, a measure intended to reduce the risk of Ebola entering the country.
The requirement takes effect November 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST, and applies to flights departing foreign countries for the United States at or after that time, according to a CDC Port Health notice updated October 28. The agency initially issued the order October 22 and amended it October 28 to clarify that the requirement extends to all individuals traveling aboard aircraft, including operating crew members and personnel traveling on nonoperating, or "deadhead," status. The order is scheduled to remain in effect until December 18, 2026, unless rescinded, modified, or extended.
The CDC described the attestation as "a public health measure intended to reduce the risk of Ebola being introduced into the United States through air travel." The 21-day restriction corresponds to the maximum incubation period for Ebola disease, defined as the interval between exposure and symptom onset.
Under the order, travelers must sign a paper or electronic statement confirming they have not been physically present in the DRC during the preceding 21 days. Presence includes travel through the country by air, land, or sea, as well as airport connections, even when passengers remain aboard the aircraft.
The restriction applies to US citizens, nationals, and lawful permanent residents, as well as foreign travelers. It also covers commercial, private, and general aviation flights, including flights connecting through the United States to other destinations.
Travelers who have been in the DRC must remain outside the United States for 21 days after departure. The CDC specifies that the departure date is Day 0, with the first full calendar day outside the country counted as Day 1. Eligible travelers may board flights beginning on Day 22, provided they meet other travel requirements.
Airlines and aircraft operators must verify completed attestations before boarding and prohibit passengers without valid attestations from boarding unless a US government exemption applies. Operators must retain the documents for at least 42 days after arrival and provide them to federal authorities upon request.
Exemptions may include government-authorized transportation of patients with Ebola disease or individuals granted exceptions by the CDC for humanitarian or other important government considerations.
Parents or authorized adults must complete attestations for travelers younger than 18 years. Individuals unable to sign because of a disability may have an authorized representative complete the document.
The CDC also warned that knowingly providing false information could result in federal prosecution, criminal fines, or imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. § 1001.