CDC Imposes DRC Travel Attestation Requirement for Air Travelers

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a notice requiring airlines to obtain attestations from passengers arriving in the U.S. confirming they have not been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the previous 21 days.  

Travel Attestation Requirement for Air Travelers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a notice titled “Requirement for Attestation: All Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving in the United States from Any Foreign Country and Controlled Free Pratique for Airlines Confirming That Such Passengers Have Not Been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the Past 21 Days.” The notice is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on Oct. 27, 2026.  

Under the measure, airlines and other aircraft operators will be required to collect attestations from travelers arriving in the U.S. regarding recent travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  

Key Takeaways 

• Arriving airline and aircraft passengers will be required to attest whether they have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the previous 21 days.  
• The notice also references controlled free pratique requirements applicable to airlines transporting passengers to the U.S.  
• The measure was issued by the CDC and is scheduled for official publication on Oct. 27, 2026. 
• The notice is currently available for public inspection and has not yet appeared in its final published form in the Federal Register.  

Impact on Travelers and Employers 

Employers with personnel traveling internationally should be aware of the new attestation requirement and monitor any related travel restrictions, screening procedures or operational impacts that may affect employees traveling to the U.S. Airlines and passengers may need to complete additional documentation before boarding or arrival.

What’s Next? 

The notice is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on Oct. 27, 2026. Additional details regarding implementation and compliance requirements are expected to become available once the notice is officially published. 

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