Airlines Demand Delay for CDC’s Broad Ebola Travel Attestation Rule

Key points

• Effective Nov. 3, all passengers on international flights to the US must confirm they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the previous 21 days.
• The requirement applies to all travelers, including US citizens, green card holders, and airline crew, regardless of whether they have visited the DRC.
• Airlines for America (A4A) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) are urging the CDC to delay the rule, citing insufficient time to update check-in systems and procedures.
• The 21-day window reflects the maximum incubation period for Ebola symptoms, and travelers who have been in the DRC during this time are barred from boarding without a government exemption.
• False statements on the attestation forms could result in prosecution and fines, according to the CDC.

Background

This rule follows a significant Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which has killed nearly 5,000 people and is described as the second-largest in history. The CDC aims to prevent the virus from entering the US through air travel, while airlines argue the implementation timeline is too short for operational changes.

Why it matters

The rule could disrupt travel for millions of passengers and create operational burdens for airlines, while public health experts emphasize the need for strict screening to prevent a potentially fatal disease from crossing borders.

What to watch

The CDC has not yet responded to the requests from A4A and IATA to delay or narrow the scope of the rule. Airlines are seeking exemptions for crew members and military charters, and the implementation date remains set for Nov. 3 unless the CDC agrees to a change.