U.S.-bound passengers must file Ebola declaration after Nov. 3, 11:59 p.m.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will begin requiring all passengers flying to the United States to submit a declaration because of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The declaration will be mandatory for flights departing after 11:59 p.m. U.S. time on Nov. 3.

All passengers traveling to the United States on international flights will be required to complete an Ebola travel declaration for flights departing at or after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Nov. 3. Under the measure, which corresponds to the morning of Nov. 4 in Türkiye, passengers without a declaration will not be allowed to board.

Passengers will declare that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 21 days before boarding. Airport transfers completed without leaving the aircraft will also count toward this period. The measure applies to U.S. citizens, green card holders, foreign visitors and passengers transferring through the United States.

Exterior of the international arrivals hall at Boston Logan Airport (archive)

Children will also need a separate declaration, which an authorized accompanying adult may complete on their behalf. Crew members and people traveling on private and cargo aircraft are also covered by the measure. Airlines will collect the declarations on paper or electronically; those who knowingly provide false information could face prosecution. Land border crossings and ports are excluded from the measure.

The CDC issued the decision on Oct. 22 and updated it on Oct. 28. The measure aims to prevent the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from spreading to the United States. The 21-day period was determined based on the disease's longest incubation period. Passengers flying from Türkiye to the United States should also check their airlines' instructions before departure.

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