New Ebola Travel Rule Kicks In for All Passengers Heading to US
Summary
A CDC rule that took effect late November 3 requires passengers on flights to the United States to attest that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the previous 21 days. The measure is scheduled to remain in place through December 18 unless changed or ended earlier; the CDC says the risk to the U.S. public remains low and reported no cases linked to the outbreak in the United States as of November 2.Key Facts
- The rule applies to commercial, private, general aviation and cargo flights departing from any foreign country for the United States.
- Passengers must sign a paper or digital statement, and airlines must deny boarding to anyone who has not completed it, except when the U.S. government grants an exemption.
- Time spent transiting through a DRC airport counts toward the restriction, even if the traveler did not leave the aircraft.
- Travelers who were in the DRC during the preceding 21 days cannot board a U.S.-bound flight until 21 days have passed since they left.
- Aircraft operators must retain completed attestations for 42 days after the flight arrives in the United States; knowingly providing false or misleading information may bring criminal penalties.
- The CDC says the 21-day period reflects Ebola’s maximum incubation period.
- The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus; the article reports cases in the DRC, Kenya and Nigeria, while Uganda declared its outbreak over in August.
- As of November 1, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported 10,532 confirmed cases and 5,126 related deaths in the DRC.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
