New U.S. Ebola Health Declaration Will Affect All Int’l Air Travellers Starting November 3

Canadian travellers flying to the United States will face a new documentation requirement beginning November 3, as American health authorities introduce a mandatory declaration related to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Precipitated by an Ebola outbreak in the DRC, the requirement applies to all passengers boarding international flights to the U.S., including those simply connecting through an American airport, regardless of their nationality or travel history.

Under an order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), travellers must sign an attestation confirming that they have not been present in the DRC during the 21 days before boarding their flight.

The new requirement takes effect at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 3, 2026, and applies to flights departing from countries outside the United States at or after that time.

The CDC originally issued the order on October 22, followed by an amended order on October 28 clarifying its scope.

The amendment confirms that the requirement extends beyond passengers to all people travelling aboard aircraft entering the United States.

That includes operating crew members on passenger and cargo aircraft, as well as crew members travelling to reposition for future assignments, commonly known as deadheading.

For Canadian travellers, even a routine flight from Toronto, Montréal or Vancouver to a U.S. destination will fall within the order’s scope.

The new rule creates another pre-departure consideration for travel advisors booking U.S.-bound flights.

Advisors should ensure clients are aware that the declaration is mandatory, including when the U.S. is only a connecting point on an international itinerary.