Brazzaville–US fliers declare no DRC presence; rule Nov 3–Dec 18

Anyone flying to the United States will soon have to sign a statement confirming they have not set foot in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the past three weeks. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order introducing the attestation as part of its Ebola response measures.

The requirement takes effect at 11:59 PM ET on 3 November 2026 and stays in force through 18 December 2026, unless it is modified or rescinded earlier.

Key facts

• Applies to all people travelling by air to the United States from a foreign country
• Covers passengers, airline crew and individuals on cargo flights
• Travelers must certify no presence in the DRC during the previous 21 days
• Signed paper or digital attestation must be presented before boarding
• In effect from 3 November 2026 through 18 December 2026

What is changing?

Earlier CDC orders broadly restricted certain travellers coming from affected regions. The new order replaces that approach with an attestation-based system aimed specifically at recent presence in the DRC.

Before boarding a flight to the United States, travellers must provide a signed paper or digital attestation confirming they were not in the DRC during the prior 21 days. Airlines are prohibited from boarding anyone who does not provide it.

Who is affected?

The requirement applies to all persons travelling by air to the United States from a foreign country, including passengers, airline crew members and individuals on cargo flights. It applies even when the United States is only a transit point rather than the final destination.

What counts as presence in the DRC?

The CDC defines presence broadly. It includes entering the DRC by air, land or sea, airport transits through the country, and any physical presence within it for any length of time.

What happens if the rules are not followed?

Airlines and aircraft operators must verify that all covered travellers complete the attestation, keep copies for at least 42 days after departure, hand them over to the US government on request, and refuse boarding to travellers who do not comply. The CDC warns that airlines failing to comply may face significant civil and criminal penalties and may be denied controlled free pratique, which is needed to disembark passengers in the United States.

Travellers who submit false information may be denied boarding, face future travel restrictions and face potential criminal penalties under federal law, including prosecution for false statements to the federal government.

Why is the DRC singled out?

The CDC determined that the DRC remains the epicenter of the outbreak and poses a substantially higher public health risk than neighbouring countries. It pointed to community transmission, incomplete contact tracing, conflict-related disruptions, weak healthcare infrastructure and cross-border population movement.

Earlier Ebola-related travel restrictions covered travellers from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan; the new order focuses on the DRC.

What this means for travellers

Anyone flying to the United States from 3 November 2026 should be ready to complete the attestation at check-in or boarding, whether the US is the final destination or a transit point. Travellers who have been in the DRC within the previous 21 days should factor the requirement into their plans before booking flights.

The order runs through 18 December 2026, but the CDC may modify or rescind it earlier, so travellers should check for updates before flying.