New York Travel Restrictions 2026: Ebola Rules

Travelling to New York? New entry rules come into effect on November 3, 2026! Following the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, the United States is introducing stricter travel restrictions for people who have recently visited affected countries. Everyone flying to New York (or anywhere else in the US) must confirm in writing that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the past 21 days.

Here’s what you need to know before your trip.

Do the New Ebola Rules Affect My Trip to New York?

Haven’t you been to an Ebola-affected area? Then you can travel to New York, but there is one extra step: filling out the Ebola form.

You don’t need to take a test, book an appointment or get a new ESTA or visa.

Have you been to one of the affected countries recently? Then the new rules may affect your trip. Read on to find out which countries are involved and what this means for you.

What Is the New Ebola Attestation?

The US health authority, the CDC, has introduced the rule as a precaution. Every passenger on an international flight to the United States now has to sign a short statement, called an attestation. In it, you confirm that you have not been in the DRC in the past 21 days.

The rule applies to flights departing at or after 11:59 p.m. on November 3, 2026, New York time. It doesn’t matter where you fly from or what nationality you are.

Your airline collects the form and keeps it. You don’t need to show it at passport control when you land at JFK or Newark.

How Do I Fill In the Ebola Form?

Your airline will usually ask you to confirm this during online check-in, via its app or at the gate. You will then need to tick the box or sign the form before you board.

Would you like to be prepared? You can download the official form from the CDC, fill it in and take a copy with you. However, I advise checking with your airline first, as some airlines prefer to use their own version. The form is only available in English for now.

Make sure everyone in your group fills in the form. Travelling with kids? Even babies need their own form, and a parent or guardian signs for children under 18.

Practical Information

• Who: every passenger on an international flight to the US, whatever their nationality
• Starting date: flights departing from November 3, 2026
• Children: every traveller needs their own form; a parent signs for under-18s
• How: on paper or digitally, for example with a tick box during check-in
• Note: without the form, your airline can refuse to let you board

Please answer honestly. Giving false information to the US authorities is a criminal offence, and you can be refused boarding on future flights as well.

Which Ebola Areas Do the Rules Apply To?

The rules depend on the country you have been to in the past 21 days:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): you are not allowed to board a flight to the United States. This also counts if you only changed planes at an airport in the DRC, even if you stayed on board.

• Uganda and South Sudan: travellers without US citizenship are not allowed to enter the United States at the moment.

• Please note that additional areas may be added to this list. Always check for updates before your flight.

Kenya has also reported a small number of Ebola cases, and the US has raised its travel advisory for Kenya. At the time of writing, Kenya is not part of the US entry restrictions. My tip: have you been to one of these countries? Then plan your trip to New York so that at least 21 days have passed since you left.

What Do Airlines Say About the Ebola Restrictions?

Airlines already apply the US rules. Delta, KLM and American Airlines state in their Ebola travel advisories that anyone who has been in the DRC within 21 days of their flight cannot board a flight to the United States. KLM also asks travellers to check the latest entry requirements before they fly, as they can change at short notice. JetBlue warns that travelling through one of the affected countries in the past 21 days also counts, and refers travellers to the CDC guidance.

Is It Safe to Travel to New York?

Yes. The new restrictions are just a precaution at the border and say nothing about New York itself. Life in the city carries on as normal: the museums, Broadway shows, restaurants and subway are all open as usual.

So my advice: check where you have been in the past 21 days, fill in the form at check-in and enjoy your trip. Still preparing? Read my New York travel tips and find out everything you need to know about flying to New York.

What Is Ebola?

Ebola is a serious illness caused by a virus. It spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who is ill, not through the air. People also can’t pass it on before they have symptoms.

The current outbreak is centred in the DRC. According to the CDC, no cases from this outbreak have been confirmed in the United States.