US to require Ebola travel declaration from all passengers on flights to America from 3 November
From 3 November, every person boarding an international flight to the United States will have to sign a declaration that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the previous 21 days. The rule from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) applies to all passengers, including US citizens and people only connecting through an American airport — wherever they are flying from.
The requirement starts at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 3 November and covers flights leaving foreign countries at or after that time. Airlines must check each signed declaration and refuse to board anyone without one, unless the US government has granted an exemption. The rule also covers crew, private and cargo flights, and airports with US pre-clearance. A stopover in a DRC airport counts as being in the country, even if the passenger never leaves the plane.
The CDC issued the order on 22 October and amended it on 28 October to make clear that crew are covered too. Airlines must keep the declarations for at least 42 days. The order is due to run until 18 December, unless it is changed earlier. On 31 October, Avianca told passengers heading to or through the US to complete the declaration before reaching the airport, warning that anyone without it would not be allowed to board.
Why it matters
The rule is a response to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which the CDC describes as the second-largest on record. Its update on 22 October listed 9,735 confirmed cases and 4,690 confirmed deaths as of 21 October. No cases linked to the outbreak had been found in the US, and the CDC assessed the risk to the American public as low. But the paperwork now reaches every US-bound flyer — so travellers who have never been to the DRC should still expect an extra form at check-in.
What happens next
Airlines are adding the declaration to online check-in, so passengers flying to or through the US from 3 November should complete the form when their airline asks for it. Anyone who has been in the DRC in the previous 21 days cannot board a US-bound flight until day 22 after leaving, unless they hold a US government exemption.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://www.airwaysmag.com/new-post/cdc-ebola-declaration-us-bound-air-passengers (Airways Magazine, 31 October 2026)
- https://www.paxnews.com/news/airline/cdc-require-ebola-declaration-all-international-flights-us-starting-nov-3 (PAX News, 31 October 2026)
