Lilshira
US Ebola boarding declaration required for flights from 3 Nov 2026
The United States will require a mandatory Ebola‑related boarding declaration for all international flights departing for the country starting at 11:59 pm EST on 3 Nov 2026. The rule applies to passengers, crew and operators on flights from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and every other foreign departure point.
En esta noticia
Esta noticia aún no se ha traducido a tu idioma, por lo que se muestra en inglés.
De un vistazo
- What changes
- Mandatory Ebola boarding declaration for all international flights to the United States
- Timing
- Effective 11:59 pm EST on 3 Nov 2026
- Who is affected
- Passengers, crew, cargo, private aircraft and connecting travellers from any foreign departure point
Los detalles
- Anunciado por
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Entra en vigor
- 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on 3 November 2026
- Norma anterior
- There was no mandatory Ebola‑related boarding declaration for international flights to the United States.
- Nueva norma
- All international flights to the United States must collect a CDC Ebola boarding declaration confirming the traveller has not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the previous 21 days; airlines may refuse boarding without an authorised exemption.
Authority and public‑health purpose
The CDC issued the original order on 22 Oct 2026 and amended it on 28 Oct, publishing the revision in the Federal Register on 30 Oct. The measure responds to a Bundibugyo‑virus Ebola outbreak centred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which had recorded over 10,000 confirmed cases and nearly 5,000 deaths by late October.
Scope and compliance requirements
The declaration applies to every person aboard a covered aircraft, including operating crew, passengers, cargo staff and passengers on private, general‑aviation and connecting flights. Travelers must confirm they were not physically present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at any time during the 21 days before departure. An authorised exemption may be granted in limited humanitarian circumstances.
- Airlines must provide the CDC form, collect a signature, electronic confirmation or verbal attestation, and retain records for at least 42 days.
- The declaration is not transmitted through the Advance Passenger Information System.
- Each individual on every covered flight must complete a separate attestation.
Implementation timeline and local enforcement
The global deadline begins at 11:59 pm EST on 3 Nov 2026, but local enforcement times differ by departure city. For example, flights leaving London start at 4:59 am GMT on 4 Nov, while Toronto departures begin at 11:59 pm EST on 3 Nov. The measure is initially scheduled to remain in force until 11:59 pm EST on 18 Dec 2026, subject to earlier amendment or withdrawal.
- Airlines should account for possible departure delays that push a flight into the enforcement period.
- Connecting passengers who board a US‑bound leg after a layover must complete the declaration before that segment.
Qué significa para los viajeros
Planificación del viaje
- Bookings for flights departing after 3 Nov 2026 will require passengers to complete the Ebola declaration at check‑in.
- Connecting itineraries that include a US‑bound segment must ensure the declaration is completed before boarding that leg.
- Flights scheduled to depart before the 3 Nov deadline are not subject to the new requirement.
Coste y documentos
- No additional fee is charged for the Ebola boarding declaration.
- Passengers must complete the CDC form provided by the airline; printing or retaining a personal copy is optional.
Lo que debes hacer
- Confirm with the operating airline that the Ebola declaration will be collected before boarding.
- If the traveller has been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the last 21 days, seek an authorised exemption before travel.
- Airlines must retain a record of each completed declaration for at least 42 days.
A quién afecta
-
International passengers from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries
The CDC order applies to all travellers on flights departing for the United States, regardless of nationality.
Qué hacer Complete the Ebola boarding declaration before boarding the US‑bound flight.
-
Airline crew and operating personnel on covered flights
The amendment clarifies that the restriction covers everyone aboard an aircraft, including crew and personnel travelling for assignment.
Qué hacer Provide a signed or electronic declaration confirming no recent DRC presence.
-
Passengers on cargo, private and general‑aviation flights to the United States
The order explicitly includes cargo flights, private aircraft and general aviation.
Qué hacer Submit the required declaration before departure; exemptions only through authorised US Government permission.
-
Travelers connecting through a US airport
The measure covers travellers connecting through the United States even when it is not the final destination.
Qué hacer Complete the declaration before boarding the US‑bound segment of the journey.
-
U.S. citizens returning home by air
The declaration applies to all passengers, including American citizens, on inbound international flights.
Qué hacer Provide the Ebola declaration at the point of boarding the flight to the United States.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the US Ebola boarding declaration?
The US Ebola boarding declaration is a mandatory health attestation required by the CDC for all passengers, crew and personnel on international flights to the United States, confirming they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the previous 21 days.
When does the Ebola declaration start for flights leaving the UK?
For flights departing London, the declaration becomes enforceable at 4:59 am GMT on 4 November 2026, which corresponds to the global deadline of 11:59 pm EST on 3 November 2026.
Who must complete the Ebola declaration before boarding a US‑bound flight?
Every person on a covered aircraft – passengers, airline crew, operating staff, cargo handlers and anyone travelling on private or general‑aviation flights – must complete the declaration unless an authorised exemption applies.
How long must I stay out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to sign the declaration?
The declaration requires that the traveller has not been physically present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at any time during the 21 days preceding the flight’s departure.
Are there any fees for completing the US Ebola boarding declaration?
No fee is charged for the Ebola boarding declaration; the form is supplied by the airline and completed at the airport without cost to the passenger.
