Major airline groups in the U.S. and internationally are expressing concerns over a new travel requirement related to Ebola that will impact millions flying into the United States. Starting on November 3, all international passengers must confirm they haven’t been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the last 21 days, as mandated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This requirement applies to everyone — American citizens, green card holders, and airline crew members included — who are flying to or through the U.S. Travelers will need to complete a paper or digital statement before boarding, even if they haven’t visited the DRC.
Airlines are tasked with collecting these forms and keeping them for at least 42 days after the flight arrives, as per the CDC’s guidelines.
Airlines for America (A4A), which represents major airlines such as American, Delta, Southwest, United, and JetBlue, has reached out to the CDC asking for a reassessment of the requirement and more time for airlines to comply. In a letter dated October 26, they mentioned that while they fully support the health goals of the CDC, the rushed implementation of this broad requirement raises concerns.
“We have to ensure that this does not cross borders.”
A4A emphasized the need for a more focused response that specifically addresses affected regions and recent travelers. They have also requested a delay in the implementation date due to the short time frame to adjust check-in systems, accommodate digital signatures, and train staff adequately.
Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician based in California, highlighted the importance of the CDC’s measures, commenting, “This was a step in the right direction… We have to ensure that this does not cross borders.”
He further noted, “This is the second-largest outbreak of Ebola in history. So this is very serious.” The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents over 370 airlines worldwide, has also voiced its concerns to the CDC. They argued that it’s impractical to expect all airlines serving the U.S. market to modify procedures to gather attestations from every passenger and crew member in such a short time.
“This is the second-largest outbreak of Ebola in history.”
A4A is additionally advocating for exemptions for airline crew members, citing that their travel details are already documented in existing aviation records. They also requested an exemption for U.S. military passenger charters, arguing that the military already maintains oversight of service members’ health and whereabouts.
The CDC stated that the measure aims to minimize the risk of Ebola entering the U.S. via air travel. The 21-day timeframe is significant as it reflects the maximum duration for symptoms to manifest post-exposure.
Travelers who have been in the DRC during this period, even if only in transit, won’t be permitted to board a flight to the U.S. without an official exemption. Initial symptoms of Ebola can resemble flu-like ailments, and it’s crucial for screening to occur to prevent further transmission, according to Dr. Evans, who has responded to Ebola outbreaks in both West Africa and the DRC.
“Being able to screen is a very effective modality to reduce, to prevent or mitigate further transmission.”
Evans emphasized the serious nature of Ebola due to its infectiousness and high fatality rates. However, he noted that many Americans might not see Ebola as a concern for themselves. “When it comes to infectious diseases… microbes don’t sort of respect boundaries,” he said.
Ultimately, travelers found providing false information could be subject to prosecution and fines, as indicated by the CDC. Further inquiries were made to the CDC and IATA for additional comments.
