From November 3, all people boarding an international flight into or connecting through the United States must sign a statement confirming they have not been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the 21 days prior to boarding. The requirement, issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of Ebola importation, although the current overall risk to the American public and travellers remains low.
Who must comply with the new rule
The CDC issued the Order on October 22 and later released an Amended Order on October 28 to clarify that the attestation requirement applies to all people travelling on any aircraft, including crew on passenger and cargo-carrying aircraft, as well as crew in deadhead status. The rules apply not only to those who visited the DRC for a holiday but also to anyone who transited through the country, including passengers making a connecting flight at an airport in the DRC.
The CDC states: "You will not be permitted to board a flight to the United States until 21 days after you leave DRC. This applies even if you were on an airplane that stopped at an airport in DRC regardless of whether you disembarked or stayed on the airplane." Anyone who has been in the DRC must wait for the 21-day period to elapse before flying to the United States, and travellers must stay outside the US for that period, returning from Day 22 onwards.
UK advice and penalties
In advice to UK travellers, gov.uk explains that the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in the DRC and Uganda. It states: "If you are flying to or transiting through the US, you must complete and sign a form before boarding their flight. The form asks you to confirm whether you have been in the DRC in the 21 days before your flight." Passengers who do not complete the form may not be allowed to board, and for passengers under 18, a parent, guardian or other authorised person must complete and sign the form on their behalf.
The CDC warns that knowingly giving false or misleading information may result in criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Gov.uk also notes temporary US entry restrictions for some people who have recently been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan, and advises travellers to check guidance for Ebola-affected areas and contact their airline if unsure about the rules.
Ebola symptoms and UK risk
Ebola is caused by a virus caught from wild animals and spreads from person to person through contact with infected body fluids such as semen, saliva, blood, poo, pee and vomit. The NHS states it has never been spread from person to person in the UK. Symptoms can start between two and 21 days after infection and include flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature, fatigue and a headache, as well as sore throat, blood in vomit, bleeding from nose, gums or vagina, yellowing of the skin and eyes, muscle pain, lots of bruises, bleeding from ears, eyes, nose or mouth, blood in poo, tummy pain, skin rash, diarrhoea and being sick.
While the risk in the UK is low, Ebola is an emergency and needs to be treated quickly. Anyone who suspects they have it should contact their doctor, NHS 111 or 999.
