Rule2026-10179
Arrival Restrictions Applicable to Flights Carrying Persons Who Have Recently Traveled From or Were Otherwise Present Within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 21, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentU.S. Customs and Border Protection
Abstract
This document announces the decision of the Secretary of Homeland Security to direct all flights to the United States carrying persons who have recently traveled from, or were otherwise present within, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan to arrive at the U.S. airport where the U.S. government is focusing public health resources to implement enhanced public health measures. For purposes of this document, a person has recently traveled from the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan if that person has departed from, or was otherwise present within, the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days of the date of the person's entry or attempted entry into the United States. Also, for purposes of this document, crew and flights carrying only cargo (i.e., no passengers or non-crew), are excluded from the measures herein.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 98 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 98 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29896-29897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10179]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
19 CFR Chapter I
Arrival Restrictions Applicable to Flights Carrying Persons Who
Have Recently Traveled From or Were Otherwise Present Within the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan
AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland
Security.
ACTION: Announcement of arrival restrictions.
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SUMMARY: This document announces the decision of the Secretary of
Homeland Security to direct all flights to the United States carrying
persons who have recently traveled from, or were otherwise present
within, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South
Sudan to arrive at the U.S. airport where the U.S. government is
focusing public health resources to implement enhanced public health
measures. For purposes of this document, a person has recently traveled
from the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan if that person has departed from,
or was otherwise present within, the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within
21 days of the date of the person's entry or attempted entry into the
United States. Also, for purposes of this document, crew and flights
carrying only cargo (i.e., no passengers or non-crew), are excluded
from the measures herein.
DATES: The arrival restrictions apply to flights departing after 11:59
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Arrival
restrictions continue until cancelled or modified by the Secretary of
Homeland Security and notice of such cancellation or modification is
published in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua Stears, Office of Field
Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection at 304-702-5187.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Ebola disease, caused by a group of viruses known as
orthoebolaviruses, is a severe and often fatal disease that can affect
humans and non-human primates. Disease transmission occurs via direct
contact with bodily fluids (e.g., blood, mucus, vomit, urine).
Bundibugyo virus, one of the ebolaviruses, was discovered in 2007 and
has been associated previously with two large outbreaks in the DRC
(2012) and the other on the border of the DRC and Uganda (2007). These
outbreaks caused death in about 30% of people who contracted the
disease. The largest Ebola disease outbreak occurred from 2014-2016 in
West Africa, with over 11,000 deaths and cases exported to seven
additional countries across three continents. These epidemics
demonstrated the potential for Ebola disease to become an international
crisis in the absence of early intervention. Further, Ebola disease can
have substantial medical, public health, and economic consequences if
it spreads to densely populated areas. As such, Ebola disease may
present a threat to U.S. health security given the unpredictable nature
of outbreaks and the interconnectedness of countries through global
travel.
On May 15, 2026, an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the
Bundibugyo virus was confirmed in northeastern DRC. There is no vaccine
for Bundibugyo virus, and treatment consists of supportive care. As of
May 17, 2026, a total of 12 confirmed cases, 336 suspected cases and 88
deaths have been reported in the DRC. Uganda has also reported imported
cases from the DRC, with ongoing contact tracing and containment
measures. South Sudan has not reported confirmed cases in the current
outbreak, but it is considered at high risk because of its close border
with affected areas in eastern DRC and Uganda, limited healthcare
infrastructure, and cross-border population movement. As of May 18, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued Travel
Health Notices for both the DRC and Uganda. Also on May 18, CDC issued
an Order Suspending the Right to Introduce Certain Persons from
Countries Where a Quarantinable Communicable Disease Exists pursuant to
the agency's authority under 42 U.S.C. 265, 268; the Order suspends the
right to introduce into the United States for a period of 30 days
certain persons who have departed from, or were otherwise present
within, the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan during the last 21 days
(regardless of their country of origin).
In order to assist in preventing or limiting the introduction and
spread of this communicable disease into the United States, the
Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services,
including CDC, and other agencies charged with protecting the homeland
and the American public, are currently implementing enhanced public
health measures at one U.S. airport that receives the largest number of
travelers originating from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. To ensure
that all travelers with recent presence in the DRC, Uganda, or South
Sudan arrive at this airport, DHS is directing all flights to the
United States carrying such persons to arrive at the airport where the
enhanced public health measures are being implemented. Although DHS, in
coordination with other applicable federal agencies, anticipates
working with the operators of aircraft in an endeavor to identify
potential travelers who have recently traveled from, or were otherwise
present within, the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan prior to boarding,
operators of aircraft will remain obligated to comply with the
requirements of this notice. Department of War (DOW) flights, via
either military aircraft or contract flights, will be managed by DOW in
accordance with HHS guidelines.
Notice of Arrival Restrictions Applicable to All Flights Carrying
Persons Who Have Recently Traveled From or Were Otherwise Present
Within the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan
Pursuant to 6 U.S.C. 112(a), 19 U.S.C. 1433(c), and 19 CFR 122.32,
DHS has the authority to limit the locations where all flights entering
the United States from abroad may land. Under this authority and
effective for flights departing after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, I hereby direct all operators of aircraft
to ensure that all flights (with
[[Page 29897]]
the exception of those operated or contracted by DOW) carrying persons
who have recently traveled from, or were otherwise present within, the
DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan only land at the following airport:
<bullet> Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia.
This direction considers a person to have recently traveled from
the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan if that person departed from, or was
otherwise present within, the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21
days of the date of the person's entry or attempted entry into the
United States. Also, for purposes of this document, crew and flights
carrying only cargo (i.e., no passengers or non-crew), are excluded
from the applicable measures set forth in this notification. This
direction is subject to any changes to the airport landing destination
that may be required for aircraft and/or airspace safety as directed by
the Federal Aviation Administration.
This list of designated airports may be modified by the Secretary
of Homeland Security in consultation with the Secretary of Health and
Human Services and the Secretary of Transportation. This list of
designated airports may be modified by an updated publication in the
Federal Register or by posting an advisory to follow at <a href="http://www.cbp.gov">www.cbp.gov</a>.
The restrictions will remain in effect until superseded, modified, or
revoked by publication in the Federal Register.
For purposes of this Federal Register document, ``United States''
means the territory of the several States, the District of Columbia,
and Puerto Rico.
Markwayne Mullin,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2026-10179 Filed 5-19-26; 4:00 pm]
BILLING CODE 9110-9M-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 21, 2026.
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