Flying to the US From Nigeria? You Must Now Sign an Ebola Declaration Before Boarding

If you are flying to the United States, from Nigeria or anywhere else, you must now sign an Ebola declaration before you board.

The rule took effect at 11:59pm US Eastern time on November 3. Under a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order, every passenger boarding an international flight to or through the US must declare that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the 21 days before boarding.

It applies to everyone: US citizens, green card holders, visa holders, children and airline crew. Airlines hand out and collect the forms. Passengers who do not sign will not be allowed to board.

What it means for Nigerians

Nigeria is not on any US travel restriction list. If you have not been in the DRC, you sign the form and fly as usual.

The tighter rules apply elsewhere:

• DRC: Anyone who has been there in the past 21 days, including US citizens, cannot board a US-bound flight. That includes passengers on flights that stop in the DRC.
• Uganda and South Sudan: Non-US citizens who were there in the past 21 days cannot enter. US citizens can, but must arrive through Washington Dulles, Atlanta or New York JFK.

Plan ahead

• Check your connections. A stopover in the DRC counts, even if you stay on the plane.
• Answer honestly. Reports say false declarations could lead to prosecution.
• Allow extra time at check-in.

If you are flying into Nigeria, remember that NCDC requires a separate health declaration for every arrival.