US Ebola Attestation From November 3: Every Passenger Flying to or Through the United States Must Sign a “No DRC in 21 Days” Declaration — What US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ Travellers Need to Know

Starting November 3, nobody boards a US-bound flight without signing a statement that they haven’t been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past 21 days — and that includes US citizens, green card holders, tourists on ESTA and passengers who are only changing planes in an American airport.

A new order from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signed on October 22, 2026, turns what was a targeted restriction into a universal boarding requirement. It applies to flights leaving foreign airports at or after 11:59 p.m. Eastern on November 3, 2026, and airlines have been told to refuse boarding to anyone who hasn’t completed it.

For the vast majority of travellers the form is a formality. But it adds a mandatory step to every inbound journey during the busy Thanksgiving and holiday season, and the penalties for a false statement are serious. Here is everything you need to know before you fly.

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Published: October 28, 2026 — Wednesday What’s new: A mandatory Ebola travel attestation for every international passenger flying to the United States Effective: Flights departing foreign airports at or after 11:59 p.m. Eastern (EST), November 3, 2026 Who must sign: All passengers — US citizens, US nationals, green card holders and foreign visitors, regardless of nationality What you declare: That you have not been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the 21 days before your flight Connecting passengers: Included — even if your final destination is another country Not covered: Flights that cross US airspace without landing Scheduled end date: December 18, 2026, subject to extension Risk to the US public: The CDC rates it as low, and no US cases linked to the current outbreak have been reported Important: The attestation does not replace your passport, visa or ESTA — you still need all of those

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🛂 What the New CDC Order Actually Requires

The order was signed on October 22 by the Assistant Secretary for Health at the US Department of Health and Human Services and published on the CDC’s website. It cites the escalating outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola, in the DRC.

Under the order, every passenger boarding an international flight to the United States must provide a paper or electronic attestation that they have not been in the DRC in the previous 21 days. Airlines must confirm each passenger’s attestation at or before boarding and must keep a copy for at least 42 days after the flight arrives in the US. The CDC has encouraged carriers to build the declaration into paperless check-in, so many travellers will meet it as a tick-box or a prompt in the airline app.

Each passenger needs their own attestation. A parent or other authorised person can sign for a child under 18, and a family member, legal guardian or travel agent can attest for someone who is unable to do so.

📋 Key Dates and Deadlines

The CDC has renewed its Ebola-related entry restrictions in 30-day increments since May 2026, and the outbreak has not been declared over — so extensions are possible.

✅ Who Must Sign — and Who Is Exempt

⚠️ What Happens If You Don’t Sign — or Sign Falsely

Passengers without a completed attestation will be denied boarding. The form carries a warning that willfully providing false or misleading information may lead to criminal fines and imprisonment, and travellers who don’t comply may also face travel delays or denial of boarding on future flights.

If you have genuinely been in the DRC within the past 21 days, you should not attempt to sign — separate and longer-standing restrictions already apply to you, covered in the next section.

🌍 How This Fits With the Existing US Ebola Restrictions

The attestation sits on top of measures the US has been running since May. It’s easy to confuse them, so here is how they compare:

✈️ What to Do Before You Fly: Practical Steps

• Expect it at check-in. Most airlines will fold the declaration into online check-in or the app; otherwise you’ll be handed a form at the counter or gate
• Allow a little extra time at the airport during the first days of the rule, especially on busy transatlantic and transpacific routes
• Complete one form per person — including children — and have the details of any minor or dependent ready
• Keep your normal documents handy: passport, visa or ESTA, and any return ticket. The attestation is an add-on, not a substitute
• Book connections carefully. If you’re passing through a US airport on the way to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean, you’re covered by the requirement too
• Check the CDC site close to departure. The order is renewable and rules have been extended in 30-day blocks, so details can change
• If you’ve been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, check your specific status before booking, as separate entry and screening rules apply

📅 What Happens Next

The attestation is currently set to run until December 18, which means it will overlap with the Thanksgiving and Christmas travel peaks. Given that the CDC has repeatedly extended its earlier Ebola measures, travellers should not assume it will lapse automatically. Airlines and airports are expected to publish more detailed guidance as November 3 approaches, and we’ll update this article as that arrives.

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• TSA PreCheck Wait Times October 14, 2026: Ongoing Bottleneck and REAL ID
• Airline Refund and Compensation Guide: DOT, EU261, UK261 and Travel Insurance

🌐 Official Sources

• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Ebola travel attestation order and fillable form: cdc.gov
• US Department of State — travel.state.gov
• US Customs and Border Protection (ESTA): esta.cbp.dhs.gov
• Your airline’s travel advisory page for check-in instructions

Posted By : Vinay

As a lead contributor for Travel Tourister, Vinay is dedicated to serving our Tier 1 audience (US, UK, Canada, Australia). His mission is to deliver precise, fact-checked news and actionable, data-driven articles that empower readers to make informed decisions, minimize travel risks, and maximize their adventure without compromising safety or budget.