CDC orders US-bound flyers to certify they were not in Congo
Starting November 3, every air passenger flying to the United States must sign a statement saying they were not in Congo in the past 21 days, a CDC order says. The rule covers US citizens and people who are only changing planes in the United States. The CDC said the step aims to keep Ebola out.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an order Thursday that will make every air passenger flying to the United States sign a statement about where they have been, according to the order. Reuters also reported the order, citing a memo it had seen.
Each passenger must certify they were not in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 21 days before their flight, the CDC said. The signed statement is called an attestation. The goal is to cut the risk of Ebola coming into the country by air, the CDC said. The 21 days match the longest time it can take for Ebola symptoms to show up, it said.
The rule takes effect for flights that leave for the United States at or after 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, November 3, the CDC said. That is the same as 11:59 PM ET.
It applies to US citizens, US nationals and green card holders, the CDC said. It also applies to people who are only changing planes in the United States on the way to another country. It does not apply to land border crossings or seaports.
Changing planes at an airport in Congo counts as being in Congo, even if a traveler never left the airport, the CDC said. A parent or guardian must sign for a child under 18.
Airlines will collect the statements and keep them, the CDC said. Passengers who do not sign will not be allowed to board. The CDC can grant exemptions for humanitarian or other important reasons. People who knowingly lie on the form could face fines and prison, the CDC said.
The CDC already bars travelers who were in Congo in the past 21 days from boarding flights to the United States, Reuters reported. That rule includes US citizens.
Separate limits apply to Uganda and South Sudan, according to a CDC page for travelers. People who are not US citizens or nationals and were in either country in the past 21 days cannot enter the United States, the CDC said. US citizens and nationals coming from those countries must fly into certain airports for health screening, it said.
The CDC said the order will be published in the Federal Register.
What we know: Air passengers to the United States must certify they were not in Congo starting November 3.
What we don't: How airlines will check the statements and how long the order will stay in place.
Where outlets agree The CDC order and Reuters report that air passengers bound for the United States will have to certify they were not in Congo in the prior 21 days, and each cites the risk of Ebola.
Where they differ The cited reports agree on the key facts so far.