New entry rules for passengers flying to the United States came into force today (November 3), requiring all international travellers to declare they have not been physically present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the 21 days before boarding.
The measures have been introduced as a precautionary step amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which is currently the second-largest outbreak on record. The requirement applies to every passenger boarding an international flight to the US.
Who must comply and what is required
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the order applies to everyone travelling to the US by plane from any foreign country, including British passengers. It covers commercial flights, private flights, general aviation and cargo flights, as well as travellers passing through US pre-clearance airports such as Dublin, who must complete a declaration before boarding.
The rule also applies to anyone who has travelled through the DRC, including passengers making a connecting flight at a DRC airport, even if they remained inside the airport or did not leave the aircraft during a stopover. Providing false information may lead to legal action, with the CDC stating: "Willfully providing false or misleading information may lead to criminal fines and imprisonment."
How to complete the declaration
The declaration can be completed digitally or by physically signing a printed document. Passengers can download and print the relevant PDF from the CDC website, sign it, and hand it to their airline at check-in. Some airlines may offer electronic completion during online check-in; Delta Airlines has confirmed passengers may be able to complete the form through its app before arriving at the airport.
Arrangements may differ between airlines, so travellers are advised to check directly with their airline before heading to the airport to avoid last-minute complications.
Timing and waiting period
Anyone who has been in the DRC must wait until the 21-day period has passed before boarding a flight to the US. The CDC calculates this using calendar days, with the day a person leaves the DRC counted as day 0 and the first full day outside the DRC as day one.
Passengers can board a flight to the US from day 22, provided they meet all other entry requirements. The CDC states: "A person may board a flight to the United States beginning on Day 22, provided they meet all other travel requirements."
