US amends DRC air-travel attestation order

What the amended order changes

A CDC order published on 30 October clarifies that its DRC travel-history attestation requirement covers persons, including crew members, rather than passengers alone. Issued on 28 October, it applies to flights departing for the United States at or after 11:59 p.m. EST on 3 November 2026 and is scheduled to remain in force through 11:59 p.m. EST on 18 December, unless changed earlier. Official source.

The scope includes connecting and cargo flights

The order covers aircraft arriving from a foreign country, including cargo flights and flights connecting through the United States to another destination. Unless an exemption applies, the person must provide a signed attestation confirming no presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 21 days before boarding. A visa or a transit itinerary should not be treated as an answer to this separate boarding requirement.

Who signs and who keeps the record

The text allows a parent or authorised representative to sign for a person under 18, and specified representation for people unable to act for themselves. Airlines or operators must retain completed attestations for at least 42 days after departure and provide them to the US government on request. An operator using a translation or outside service remains responsible for compliance and translation accuracy.

Exemptions require the stated basis

The order identifies authorised transport of Ebola patients and CDC exemptions for humanitarian or other important government considerations. Conditions can accompany an exemption. A traveller should not assume that an urgent personal reason automatically qualifies. Anyone whose travel history prevents a truthful attestation needs to resolve the applicable official process before boarding, rather than sign a statement that does not reflect where they have been.

A clearly hypothetical example

A cargo crew member schedules a US stop after working in the DRC within the preceding 21 days. The absence of passengers does not remove the amended order’s relevance. The operator should review the itinerary and any applicable exemption with the responsible authorities. Changing the connecting airport does not change the underlying travel history, and a private assurance cannot substitute for an official exemption.

Prepare for the effective date

Travellers and operators should review the final itinerary, departure time and accurate travel history, then check the latest official order before travel. Keep the boarding requirement separate from visa eligibility, admission and any other public-health obligations. This article explains the published legal requirements as of 30 October; it does not assess anyone’s health or guarantee that the scheduled end date will remain unchanged.

Legal check date

Sources and law checked on 30 October 2026. Later developments are not reflected automatically. Application of the rules depends on the individual facts.