US-bound air travelers must now declare they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Since Nov. 3, everyone boarding an international flight to the United States must sign a statement that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past 21 days.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began requiring all people flying to the United States to attest that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the previous 21 days. The requirement took effect at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Nov. 3, 2026, under an order the agency issued on Oct. 22.
The rule responds to an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain. It applies to travelers of every nationality, on flights from any country, and airlines carry the responsibility for enforcing it. The requirement is in effect.
What passengers have to do
Each traveler must sign a paper or digital statement before boarding that they have not been in the DRC within the past 21 days. The requirement covers passengers and crew. It also covers people connecting through a US airport and flights leaving from preclearance airports, according to a law-firm summary of the order. Overflights that do not land in the US are not covered.
Delta says passengers can complete the form during check-in its app or on its website. A link is also sent in the reminder 24 hours before departure. The form is offered in English and French.
A parent or guardian can sign for a child, and Delta says one person can sign for a whole party if they know everyone's recent travel history and have their permission. Passengers who refuse to attest are denied boarding.
A stop at a DRC airport counts as having been in the country, even if the traveler stayed on the plane.
What airlines must do
The order makes airlines responsible for compliance. Carriers must confirm that every traveler has attested before passengers get off at a US port of entry. They must also deny boarding to anyone without a completed form.
Airlines must keep each attestation for at least 42 days after the flight arrives, and the US government can inspect the records.
Airlines raised objections before the start date. The International Air Transport Association, which represents over 370 airlines in more than 130 countries, told the CDC in a letter that it was "unreasonable" to expect airlines to collect attestations from every passenger and crew member at such short notice, Reuters reported on Oct. 28.
Airlines for America, which represents United, American, Southwest and Delta, said changes to check-in systems, digital signatures and staff training "cannot readily be completed in the allotted time." It asked the CDC to exempt crew members, US military personnel and jumpseat travelers.
Reuters reported that the CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the objections.
The figures behind the debate
Airlines for America said US Customs and Border Protection screened about 130 million air passengers in 2025, and fewer than 25,000 of them had a connection to the DRC. IATA questioned why the order covers only air travel and not maritime or surface transport.
Africa CDC says the outbreak had killed about 4,700 people in Africa so far, Reuters reported on Oct. 28. The Bundibugyo strain kills about half of those infected and has no approved treatment or vaccine. The outbreak was declared in May, after the virus had spread undetected for months.
The CDC says the overall risk to the American public and travelers "remains low."
“Airlines must deny boarding to anyone without a completed attestation and keep each form for at least 42 days.”
Earlier restrictions still apply
The attestation sits on top of earlier measures. Anyone, including US citizens, who was in the DRC within 21 days before departure cannot board a US-bound flight. They should plan to remain outside the US for at least 21 days after leaving the DRC, the CDC says.
For Uganda and South Sudan, non-US citizens, including green card holders, who were there within 21 days cannot enter the US. US citizens who were in either country, and not the DRC, must arrive through Washington-Dulles, Atlanta or New York's JFK for screening.
Travelers who were in any of the three countries within the past 21 days face entry screening on arrival. This includes a questionnaire and a temperature check. They are then enrolled in CDC text reminders for health monitoring. A law-firm summary says the suspension of entry for certain non-US persons is extended through Nov. 10, 2026.
Delta tells passengers who were in the DRC that they can rebook once 21 days have passed since they left, or return to their departure city.
What happens next
Delta says the attestation requirement runs through Dec. 18, 2026, unless the CDC updates or extends it.
Travelers with questions before their trip can ask a Delta representative, Delta says. The CDC also lists an email address for people affected by a travel restriction who left those countries more than 21 days ago: Ebola-Travel-HELP@hq.dhs.gov.
