Passengers on international flights bound for the United States, including flights to Puerto Rico, must complete and sign a new health declaration before boarding, under a public health order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The requirement takes effect for flights departing toward the US at 11:59 PM on November 3, 2026, Eastern time.
Puerto Rico is included because the island falls within the federal order’s definition of the United States. Every traveler, regardless of nationality, including US citizens and permanent residents, must certify they were not physically in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 21 days before their flight; a mere airport connection there counts as presence.
Each traveler must file their own declaration, in digital or printed form; minors under 18 may have a parent, guardian or authorized representative sign for them. Airlines must collect and verify the documents, deny boarding to those without a completed declaration unless federally exempted, keep copies for at least 42 days after departure and provide them to federal authorities on request.
Separately, passengers who were in Congo in the prior 21 days may not board US-bound flights until day 22, and extra restrictions apply to those who were in Uganda or South Sudan. The order, issued October 22, runs through December 18, 2026. Knowingly providing false information can carry federal penalties.