US requires Ebola declaration from travellers
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Bénin Web TV
Travellers flying to the United States must now certify that they have not stayed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 21 days before departure, including in the event of a Congolese transit. The measure took effect on the evening of 3 November and provides for refusal of boarding without a certificate or exemption, according to the CDC.
Travellers boarding flights abroad to the United States must now certify that they have not stayed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the 21 days preceding their departure. The measure applies to all nationalities, including US citizens and passengers transiting through the United States, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The requirement took effect on 3 November at 11.59pm Eastern Time, or 4.59am GMT on 4 November. Passing through a Congolese airport counts as being in the DRC, even without leaving the aircraft or airport. The day of departure from the DRC is counted as day zero, and boarding for the United States is possible from the 22nd day.
The declaration may be made on paper or digitally. Without a declaration or exemption, notably for certain medical transport or humanitarian reasons, the airline must refuse boarding. The CDC links the 21-day period to the maximum incubation period of Bundibugyo Ebola virus, which mainly circulates in the DRC, according to US health authorities.
The measure follows the report of 10,467 cases and 5,103 deaths recorded in the DRC, published on 3 November. Ghana had also announced monitoring travellers for 21 days as part of its prevention measures.
