US Prolongs Ebola Entry Ban by 30 Days as New Attestation Requirement Approaches for All US-Bound Travelers
Updated: 3 minutes ago
WASHINGTON, October 24, 2026 — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has prolonged its ban on entry for specific foreign nationals recently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan. At the same time, it is readying a comprehensive new attestation requirement that will be mandatory for all passengers boarding a flight to the United States, irrespective of their nationality.
The entry suspension, ordered on 9 October 2026, extends for an additional 30 days a measure first imposed in May and renewed twice since. The attestation requirement, announced by the CDC on 22 October, takes effect for flights departing foreign countries on or after 11:59 p.m. EST on 3 November 2026.
The Entry Suspension: Who It Covers
The 9 October order continues the suspension of entry for “covered aliens” who were present in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan during the 21 days preceding their attempted entry into the United States.
The measure applies regardless of nationality. The CDC’s order explicitly includes lawful permanent residents within its scope, subject to defined exceptions.
Exempt from the suspension:
U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals
Certain categories defined in the order’s exceptions schedule (diplomats, certain law enforcement and military personnel, and other specified classes)
The suspension is time-limited to 30 days from issuance and is severable from prior orders, meaning a legal challenge to one provision would not automatically invalidate the rest.
The New Attestation Requirement: Broader Than the Ban
The 22 October announcement introduces a separate obligation that reaches far beyond the three affected countries.
From 3 November 2026, all passengers boarding an international flight to the United States — wherever they are departing from — must provide a paper or electronic attestation confirming they have not been present in the DRC during the 21 days before their flight departs.
The attestation is collected by air carriers under instructions issued through U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Carrier Liaison Program.
Two Different Rules for Three Countries
The attestation applies only to the DRC. Uganda and South Sudan are treated differently.
Country of Recent Presence | Rule for All Travellers | Rule for U.S. Citizens and Nationals |
DRC | Cannot board a U.S.-bound commercial flight within 21 days of leaving DRC | Same restriction applies |
Uganda or South Sudan | Entry suspension applies to covered foreign nationals | Permitted to travel but must route through designated U.S. airports for enhanced screening |
The DRC restriction captures all travellers, including U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals. Anyone who has been in the DRC — even as a transit passenger on a multi-stop itinerary, whether or not they disembarked — cannot board a U.S.-bound commercial flight until 21 days have passed since leaving the country.
The CDC advises such travellers to plan to remain outside the United States for at least 21 days after departing the DRC.
What “Attestation” Means in Practice
The attestation is a signed statement, not a test or a certificate. Passengers will be asked to confirm they have not been in the DRC during the relevant 21-day window.
Airlines are responsible for collecting the attestation before boarding. The requirement applies to flights departing any foreign country for the United States, closing a gap that previously allowed travellers to route through third countries to avoid scrutiny.
For corporate travel managers, the operational implication is that any employee with a DRC stamp in their passport — even from a brief transit — will be unable to board a U.S.-bound flight for three weeks after departure. That applies equally to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals.
The Timeline of Escalation
The Ebola-related travel restrictions have been layered progressively since May.
Date | Action |
18 May 2026 | CDC first issues entry suspension for DRC, Uganda, South Sudan |
22 May 2026 | Order amended |
12 August 2026 | Order renewed; screening requirements expanded |
11 September 2026 | Order renewed for 30 days |
9 October 2026 | Order renewed for a further 30 days |
22 October 2026 | CDC announces attestation requirement for all U.S.-bound flyers |
3 November 2026 | Attestation requirement takes effect |
The repeated 30-day extensions reflect an ongoing public health risk assessment. The CDC has not indicated when the restrictions might be lifted, and the underlying Ebola outbreak in the DRC — caused by the Bundibugyo virus — remains active.
Why the Attestation Matters for Employers
For multinational employers, the attestation creates a compliance step that sits with the traveller, not the company — but the consequences of a refused boarding fall on the business.
It closes the routing loophole. Previously, a traveller who had been in the DRC could potentially route through a third country and board a U.S.-bound flight there. The new attestation applies at any foreign departure point, removing that option.
It creates a documentary trail. A false attestation is a signed statement to a federal agency. Employers should ensure travel policies instruct staff to answer accurately, even where that means delaying travel.
It affects U.S. citizens too. The DRC restriction and the attestation are not limited to foreign nationals. American employees who transit the DRC face the same 21-day bar on U.S.-bound commercial flights.
It requires itinerary review. Multi-stop routes that touch the DRC — even without disembarking — trigger the restriction. Travel management systems should be configured to flag any itinerary with a DRC segment.
What Travellers and Employers Should Do Now
Before 3 November: Any employee travelling to the U.S. from abroad should be briefed on the attestation requirement. Airlines may begin distributing forms in advance.
For DRC-related travel: Employees who have been in the DRC should plan for a 21-day absence from the U.S. before attempting to return. This applies regardless of citizenship.
For Uganda and South Sudan: U.S. citizens and nationals may travel but should expect routing through designated airports for enhanced screening. Foreign nationals covered by the suspension should not attempt to board.
Monitor CDC guidance. The CDC’s returning travellers page is updated with country-specific rules and screening airport lists.
Read Also
Quick Reference Summary
Item | Detail |
Entry Suspension Extended | 9 October 2026, for 30 days |
Countries Covered | DRC, Uganda, South Sudan |
Suspension Scope | Covered aliens present in those countries within prior 21 days |
U.S. Citizens/Nationals | Exempt from entry suspension |
Attestation Requirement | All U.S.-bound air passengers, any foreign departure point |
Attestation Covers | DRC only — 21 days before flight |
Attestation Effective | 11:59 p.m. EST, 3 November 2026 |
DRC Rule for U.S. Citizens | Cannot board U.S.-bound commercial flight within 21 days of leaving DRC |
Uganda/South Sudan Rule | U.S. citizens routed to designated airports for screening |
Legal Authority | PHS Act §§ 362, 365; 42 C.F.R. § 71.40 |
First Issued | 18 May 2026 |
Official CDC Guidance |
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