US CDC to require all international passengers to attest no DR Congo stay from Nov 3
In short
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will require every passenger on international flights to the United States to confirm they have not stayed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the previous 21 days, Korean outlets reported on 23 October. The requirement applies after 11:59 pm US Eastern time on 3 November and is meant to keep Ebola out of the country.
Read the full story 2 min read
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will require all passengers on international flights to the United States to sign a statement that they have not stayed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the previous 21 days. Newsis reported that the requirement applies after 11:59 pm US Eastern time on 3 November and is intended to prevent Ebola from entering the US. Newsis said the CDC announced this on its website in guidance for travelers returning from Ebola-affected areas. [ 2 ]
According to the notice as quoted by Newsis, travelers who stayed in the DR Congo within 21 days of departure cannot board a US-bound flight regardless of nationality, and must stay outside the US for at least 21 days after leaving the country. The CDC said this also covers passengers whose flights pass through the DR Congo, whether or not they leave the aircraft during the stopover. [ 2 ]
Newsis also reported that foreigners, including permanent residents, who stayed in South Sudan or Uganda within 21 days of arrival cannot enter the US and must stay outside the country for at least 21 days after leaving. US citizens and nationals who were in South Sudan or Uganda but not the DR Congo may enter only through designated US airports and will undergo public health screening. The other outlets did not mention these provisions. [ 2 ]
Korea Economic Daily, Asia Economy, Chosun Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo cited Reuters, which on 22 October reported on an internal CDC document. Dong-A Ilbo said passengers must confirm in writing or electronically and that airlines will collect the statements. Korea Economic Daily said the CDC cited the risk of Ebola transmission in the US. Asia Economy said the requirement is to apply for now. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
The CDC had earlier barred travelers who stayed in the DR Congo within 21 days of departure from boarding US-bound commercial flights. Dong-A Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo said the ban covers US citizens and nationals as well. Dong-A Ilbo said the new confirmation is meant to make the ban more effective. Chosun Ilbo said that, because passport records alone cannot reliably screen travelers who arrive via third countries, the written statement appears designed to hold travelers accountable for false declarations. It also said the rule applies at airports worldwide, including in South Korea. Chosun Ilbo described the measure as being under review, unlike the other outlets. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Korea Economic Daily, Asia Economy and Chosun Ilbo said the outbreak began in the DR Congo and has spread to Kenya in the east and Nigeria in the west. Chosun Ilbo, citing Swiss authorities, said a recently confirmed case in Nigeria is believed to have been exposed to the virus in Uganda. Dong-A Ilbo said the infections in the DR Congo and several other African countries are caused by the Bundibugyo virus. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The rule extends to all passengers on flights to the US, including those departing from South Korea, according to Chosun Ilbo. Korean business outlets framed it as a tightening of an existing boarding ban linked to the spread of Ebola across Africa.
Key facts
- The CDC will require all passengers on international flights to the US to sign a statement that they have not stayed in the DR Congo in the previous 21 days; it applies after 11:59 pm US Eastern time on 3 November. [ 2 ]
- Korea Economic Daily, Asia Economy, Chosun Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo, citing Reuters on 22 October, reported that the requirement starts on 3 November and covers all passengers arriving in the US from abroad. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The CDC earlier barred travelers who had stayed in the DR Congo within 21 days of departure from boarding US-bound commercial flights. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo said passengers must confirm in writing or electronically, and that airlines will collect the statements. [ 6 ]
- Per the CDC notice as reported by Newsis, foreigners, including permanent residents, who stayed in South Sudan or Uganda within 21 days cannot enter the US. [ 2 ]
- The outbreak began in the DR Congo and has spread to Kenya and Nigeria, according to Korea Economic Daily, Asia Economy and Chosun Ilbo. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- From 3 November the CDC will require passengers on international flights to the US to attest that they have not stayed in or visited the DR Congo within the previous 21 days. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The CDC had already barred travelers who stayed in the DR Congo within 21 days of departure from boarding US-bound commercial flights. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The Ebola outbreak that began in the DR Congo has spread to Kenya and Nigeria. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the measure is final or still under review. Newsis reported the CDC announced it on its website, while Chosun Ilbo described it as a plan the CDC was reviewing and pursuing, based on Reuters.
- How long the requirement will last. Asia Economy says it applies for now; no document gives an end date.
- The entry ban and screening rules for South Sudan and Uganda. Only Newsis reported these details from the CDC notice; the other outlets did not mention them.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Newsis flashed a breaking report on 23 October that the CDC would require passengers to confirm they had not stayed in the DR Congo. [ 1 ]
- Newsis published details of the CDC notice posted on its website. [ 2 ]
- Korea Economic Daily reported the measure, citing Reuters' report of 22 October on an internal CDC document. [ 3 ]
- The requirement applies after 11:59 pm US Eastern time on 3 November. [ 2 ]