US Flights Require Ebola Risk Declaration for Congo Travel

International travelers flying to the United States will soon be required to declare they have not been in the Democratic Republic of Congo within the past 21 days. This new directive from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aims to mitigate the risk of introducing the Ebola virus into the U.S. following an outbreak in Congo.

The requirement takes effect on November 3rd at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, which is 6:59 AM on November 4th in Israel. It applies to all flights departing from foreign countries to the U.S. from that moment onward.

All passengers, regardless of citizenship, are subject to the declaration, including U.S. citizens, green card holders, and those connecting through the U.S. This means travelers departing from Israel who have not visited Congo will also need to complete the form. Limited exceptions exist for humanitarian reasons with U.S. government approval.

The declaration defines "stay" in Congo as including transit through an airport or even remaining on a plane during a connection, unless the traveler did not disembark. Flying over the country without landing is not considered a stay. Airlines are responsible for ensuring the declaration is completed before boarding and must prevent passengers who have not complied or obtained an exemption from boarding.

Travelers can complete the declaration either on paper or digitally, depending on the airline's system. Airlines must retain these declarations for at least 42 days after the flight's arrival in the U.S. and provide them to the government upon request. Each passenger requires a separate declaration, though parents or authorized guardians can complete it for minors or individuals unable to do so themselves.

Submitting false information knowingly can lead to fines and criminal prosecution. The CDC emphasizes that individuals who have been in Congo during the specified period, including via connection, cannot simply fill out the form. Without an approved exemption, they will be denied boarding and must wait at least 21 days after leaving Congo before being allowed to fly to the U.S. The CDC maintains that the overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low.