The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has clarified that its forthcoming Ebola travel attestation covers aircraft crew as well as passengers. The October 28 amendment expressly includes operating and positioning or deadheading crew on passenger and cargo aircraft.
When it starts
The requirement applies to flights departing a foreign country for the United States at or after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 3, 2026. That is 04:59 UTC on November 4. It is a forthcoming requirement, not one already in force on October 29.
Covered travelers must sign a statement confirming they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the preceding 21 days. CDC says U.S. citizens and permanent residents are included; connections through the United States are covered too.
What the amended order covers
The amended order dated October 28 defines aircraft broadly, including commercial, cargo, general aviation and private aircraft. Passing through a DRC airport counts as presence even without leaving the aircraft. An overflight without a landing in the United States is outside this order.
Airlines and operators must check that covered people have completed and signed an attestation before boarding, and must not board those who have not provided one. Government-authorized Ebola transports and individual CDC exemptions are provided for.
The order remains in effect until rescinded or modified, or December 18, 2026, whichever comes first. It operates alongside other CDC orders.
Check the updated official instructions
CDC says its technical instructions and FAQs will be updated to reflect the amendment. Some lower sections of the webpage still refer to passengers; the October 28 clarification expressly includes crew. Travelers and crew should consult the current CDC documents and their airline or operator before departure, particularly if an itinerary includes DRC transit.
Archive photograph: airline directory at New York JFK Terminal 4, December 22, 2016. This does not show current airline assignments or implementation of the CDC rule. Photo: Tyler de Noche, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and compressed to WebP; original licence retained.
