Flying From Central Africa? The US Just Extended These Entry Rules

The CDC Ebola travel restrictions remain in force heading into September 2026. The agency renewed its entry order on August 12. The rules bar travelers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from boarding US-bound commercial flights. Travelers from Uganda and South Sudan get routed through designated screening airports instead.

The restrictions respond to an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in remote parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. CDC describes the outbreak as spreading substantially faster than previous Ebola outbreaks. Health officials now rank it as the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record. That scale explains why the US has kept the restrictions running for several months rather than lifting them quickly.

What the CDC Ebola travel restrictions actually require

Travelers, including US citizens and US nationals, cannot board US-bound commercial flights if they were physically present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo within 21 days before departure. CDC advises those travelers to plan on staying outside the United States for at least 21 days after leaving DRC. That advice creates a mandatory waiting period before US-bound travel becomes possible again.

Why Uganda and South Sudan face a lighter rule than DRC

Travelers who spent time in Uganda or South Sudan, but not in DRC, within the same 21-day window can still fly to the United States. Airlines route their travel through a designated set of US airports equipped for public health entry screening instead. That distinction reflects CDC’s assessment: the outbreak’s intensity and confirmed case counts concentrate in DRC, while Uganda and South Sudan face a lower but still monitored risk of cross-border spread.

Inside the outbreak driving the order

The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is one of several known Ebola virus species. This outbreak’s spread through remote areas of DRC and Uganda has made containment difficult. CDC has kept its travel health notice for the region at a Level 3 designation. That level means CDC advises travelers to reconsider nonessential travel to the affected provinces.

How the restrictions were renewed in August

CDC originally issued its entry-suspension order on May 18, 2026. It renewed the order on August 12, 2026, continuing the same core restrictions for DRC, Uganda and South Sudan travelers. The renewal signals that the outbreak had not come under sufficient control by mid-August to justify lifting the order. CDC has not announced a firm end date for the restrictions.

What happens next if you’ve been in the region

Anyone who has recently traveled to DRC, Uganda or South Sudan and has upcoming US travel plans should check CDC’s Travelers’ Health site before booking or attempting to fly. The specific list of affected countries and screening airports can change with each renewal. Airlines operating routes through the region must enforce the boarding restrictions at check-in.

CDC Ebola travel rules: questions travelers are asking

Who can’t fly to the US right now? Travelers who have been in DRC within 21 days before their US-bound flight.

What happens if I’ve been in Uganda or South Sudan instead? You can still fly, but you’ll be routed through a designated US airport for screening.

When was this rule renewed? CDC renewed the order on August 12, 2026, after first issuing it on May 18, 2026.

What outbreak is behind this? A Bundibugyo virus Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda that CDC says is spreading faster than past outbreaks.

How long do I have to wait before flying to the US after being in DRC? CDC advises staying outside the US for at least 21 days after leaving DRC.

Where can I check the latest rules? CDC’s Travelers’ Health website publishes current notices for the affected countries.

For related coverage, see our reporting on the realignment of US visa services in Africa and re-entry rules for travel on advance parole.

Sources: CDC entry order, CDC travel health notice.