Flying to the US? New Ebola Rules Start This Week
Everyone flying to or connecting through the United States will soon face a new Ebola-related boarding requirement, including British holidaymakers who have never visited Africa. From 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time on 3 November 2026, passengers must confirm they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the previous 21 days. Airlines must collect the declaration before allowing them to board.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) introduced the measure amid an Ebola outbreak in the DRC. By 28 October, the country had recorded 10,274 confirmed cases and 4,992 deaths; CDC reported no cases linked to the outbreak in the US. Airlines must collect the declaration in paper or electronic form. Knowingly giving false information may lead to criminal fines or imprisonment.
Who Must Sign and When
- Effective: 3 November, 11:59pm EST, for departing flights.
- Ends: 18 December, 11:59pm EST, unless amended.
- Covered: All nationalities, children, aircrew and US transit passengers.
- DRC stopovers: Count even without leaving the plane.
- Forms: Paper or electronic, signed before boarding.
- Exceptions: Authorised Ebola medical flights or individual CDC exemptions.
- Land and sea: This declaration is not required.
Anyone who visited or transited through the DRC must wait until Day 22 after leaving, with departure treated as Day 0. A separate CDC order restricts US entry for people who are neither US citizens nor US nationals, including Green Card holders, after visits to Uganda or South Sudan within 21 days. US citizens and nationals returning from those countries must use designated airports for screening.
Before departure, check whether your airline uses an online declaration or requires a paper copy. Delta accepts it through its app or website during check-in; CDC also provides a fillable PDF. A parent or authorised representative may sign for a child. A valid visa or ESTA does not waive the declaration, so anyone unable to sign truthfully must change their itinerary or obtain an official exemption.