CDC Extends Ebola Travel Restrictions for Another 30 Days

The CDC has continued temporary U.S. travel restrictions tied to the 2026 Ebola outbreak for another 30 days. The September 11 order keeps a 21-day lookback for certain people who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan.

The Rule Depends on Where a Traveler Has Been

The CDC says the September order applies to covered noncitizens who departed from or were present in any of the three countries during the previous 21 days, subject to listed exceptions. The agency says the measure is intended to reduce the risk of Ebola being introduced into the United States while officials continue to assess outbreak conditions.

The restrictions are not identical for every traveler. CDC guidance says U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who have been in Uganda or South Sudan may travel to the United States but can be routed through designated airports for public-health screening.

Travel From the DRC Carries a Stricter Limit

Current CDC traveler guidance says people, including U.S. citizens and nationals, who have been in the DRC within 21 days before departure are not allowed to board commercial flights bound for the United States. The agency says those travelers should remain outside the country until at least 21 days after leaving the DRC.

For Uganda and South Sudan, the rules differ by immigration status and travel history. That makes the specific country visited - and when the traveler left it - central to what happens next.

The September Order Is Temporary

The CDC has renewed similar restrictions several times since May as the outbreak response evolved. The current order is scheduled to remain in effect for 30 days from September 11 unless officials change it again.

For travelers planning international trips, the live consequence is the 21-day period attached to recent presence in the affected countries and the possibility of rerouting, screening or temporary entry restrictions depending on status and itinerary.

References: Order: Suspending the Right to Introduce Certain Persons from Countries Where a Quarantinable Communicable Disease Exists | Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas