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Flying to the United States from November 3? Every passenger must sign a new health declaration first

Published October 29, 2026

From 11:59 p.m. EST on November 3, 2026, no signed declaration means no boarding on any international flight to the United States — wherever you are flying from.

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the order on October 22 and amended it on October 28: every person boarding an international flight into, or connecting through, the United States must sign a statement (an attestation) confirming they have not been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the 21 days before boarding. The CDC says the 21 days reflect the maximum incubation period for Ebola disease.
• It applies to everyone, from every country: U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and green-card holders included, passengers only connecting through a U.S. airport included, and flights from pre-clearance airports included. It covers commercial, general aviation and private flights, and the October 28 amendment clarifies it also covers crew. It does not apply to land border crossings or seaports.
• Being in the DRC counts even if you only connected through a DRC airport and never left the plane. The count runs in calendar days: the day you leave the DRC is Day 0, and you may board a U.S.-bound flight from Day 22 — not on Days 0 to 21.
• Airlines must confirm your attestation at or before boarding, must refuse boarding to anyone who has not completed one (unless the U.S. Government has issued that passenger an exemption), and must keep a copy for at least 42 days after the flight arrives. Each passenger needs their own attestation: a parent, guardian or other authorised person signs for a traveller under 18, and a family member, travel companion or other authorised person can sign for a traveller with a disability who cannot sign themselves. The CDC warns that wilfully providing false or misleading information may lead to criminal fines and imprisonment.
• Airline groups are pushing back: Reuters reported on October 28 that the International Air Transport Association and Airlines for America, in letters dated Tuesday, urged the CDC to reconsider, calling the timetable unworkable for check-in systems and training. As of this check on October 29, the CDC's own page — updated October 28 — still lists the November 3 start, so plan on the declaration being required.