Flying to the U.S.? New CDC Health Declaration Now Mandatory for Air Travellers

Canadians flying to the United States are now required to complete a new health declaration before boarding, under a policy introduced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce the risk of Ebola entering the country.

The requirement took effect Tuesday (Nov. 3) at 11:59 p.m. ET, and applies to all passengers boarding international flights to the United States, including those departing from Canada.

Under the new rules, travellers must sign a statement (known as an attestation) confirming they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the 21 days before their flight.

The policy applies regardless of nationality, including Canadian citizens, U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

While the CDC says the overall risk to travellers and the American public remains low, the new requirement introduces an additional step in the boarding process.

Procedures differ by airline

For Canadians, the process should be straightforward as airlines will likely collect the declaration in advance.

“As required by United States federal law, all airlines or other aircraft operators will provide and collect the attestation on behalf of the U.S. Government prior to boarding,” reads a statement on the CDC’s website.

One Canadian travel advisor, Quebec-based Annie Perreault of Voyages Aqua Terra Donnacona, shared her firsthand experience in a private Facebook forum yesterday, writing that her attestation was collected digitally during online check-in.

In a message to Travel Market Report Canada, Perreault confirmed that she was flying with Air Canada and said there was no need to print a form ahead of her flight.

But not all Canadian airlines are following the same procedure.  

In an email to TMR Canada Thursday morning (Nov. 5), Porter Airlines said that it will provide a printed attestation form at its check-in counters and gates for passengers to fill out.

“Every passenger must fill out an Ebola attestation form, which will be collected during the boarding process,” Porter’s media team said, adding that the airline is “exploring digital options.”

Flair Airlines said its customers can complete their Ebola attestation during online check-in. Customers checking in at the airport, however, can also complete the document using a form at the check-in counter.

TMR Canada has reached out to other airlines for further clarification on how the new requirement will be handled.

Any person who fails to sign the attestation will be denied boarding a flight to the United States, says the CDC.

What If You’ve Recently Visited the Congo?

The new policy has more significant implications for travellers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Anyone who has been physically present in the country during the previous 21 days is generally prohibited from boarding a flight to the United States, says the CDC.

That includes travellers who merely connected through an airport in the DRC, even if they never left the aircraft or airport terminal.

The CDC has established a specific waiting period for affected travellers.

The day a person leaves the DRC is considered Day 0. The following day is Day 1, and the traveller must remain outside the United States for 21 full calendar days.

They may board a flight to the U.S. beginning on Day 22, provided they meet all other entry requirements.

The 21-day period reflects the maximum incubation period for Ebola, which is the time between exposure to the virus and the appearance of symptoms.

The CDC says exemptions may be granted in rare circumstances, including humanitarian cases or other important government considerations.

The declaration is mandatory not only for travellers whose final destination is the United States, but also for those connecting through an American airport on their way to another country.

The requirement also applies to flights departing from Canadian airports with U.S. preclearance facilities.

However, the policy does not apply to travellers entering the United States by land or sea.

What About Families & Children?

Every passenger must have an individual attestation on record, but families do not necessarily need to complete separate paperwork themselves.

A parent, guardian or other authorized representative may complete the declaration on behalf of a child under 18, says the CDC.

An authorized representative may also submit declarations for other members of a travelling party, including passengers with disabilities or those unable to sign independently.

Airlines may use a single electronic process to collect declarations for multiple passengers, provided each individual has a completed attestation on record, notes the CDC.

The U.S. health agency originally issued its order on October 22, 2026, before amending it on October 28 to clarify that the requirement also applies to aircraft crew, including personnel travelling on passenger and cargo aircraft.