CDC Wants Travelers to Prove They Haven't Been in Congo
Published Date: 10/27/2026
Notice
Summary
The CDC wants your thoughts on a new form for travelers to prove they haven’t been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the last 21 days before coming to the U.S. This helps keep everyone safe from Ebola. If you travel or work with travelers, this might affect you, and the CDC needs your comments by December 28, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Travel restrictions for recent DRC visitors continue
CDC and DHS have ordered and implemented restrictions that suspend entry of foreign nationals who were in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days; CDC issued an Order May 18, 2026 (amended May 22), with continuation Orders on June 21, July 13, August 12, September 11, and October 11, 2026. DHS, in consultation with CDC, began restricting air travel for all travelers (including U.S. citizens and nationals) who had been in the DRC in the past 21 days starting July 14, 2026.
Airline staff must collect and process attestations
Airline staff must ensure passengers complete the CDC Ebola Attestation before boarding, an activity CDC estimates will generate 135,300,000 staff responses at 5 minutes each (11,275,000 hours). CDC requests OMB approval for a total estimated annualized burden of 22,550,200 hours across travelers and airline staff.
You must sign a DRC 21‑day attestation
You must complete an attestation, as instructed by the airline, confirming you have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the 21 days before arriving in the United States. CDC estimates each traveler will spend 5 minutes to complete the CDC Ebola Attestation; CDC estimates 135,300,000 traveler responses for a total of 11,275,000 hours.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-21828, Requirement for Attestation for All Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving in the United States From Any Foreign Country and Controlled Free Pratique for Airlines Confirming That Such Passengers Have Not Been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the Past 21 Days
Starting November 3, 2026, anyone flying to the U.S. from another country must sign a statement saying they haven’t been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the last 21 days. Airlines won’t let passengers board without this attestation, helping keep everyone safe. This rule lasts until December 18, 2026, unless changed earlier.
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