A Short Form Stands Between Some Travelers and a US Flight on Nov. 3

A new piece of paperwork is about to join the pre-flight routine for some international travelers. Beginning at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on November 3, air passengers and relevant crew members bound for the United States must attest that they were not in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 21 days before boarding.

The requirement is not limited to nonstop flights from the region. It also applies to connecting itineraries, which means a traveler who passed through the country weeks earlier and is now flying home from a third country could still be asked to sign. Both paper and electronic forms are accepted, giving airlines some flexibility in how they collect the statements.

The burden largely falls on carriers. Aircraft operators are expected to verify the attestation before boarding and to keep the records for at least 42 days after the passenger arrives. That retention period suggests the paperwork will matter for any later public-health follow-up, rather than serving only as a gate-side formality.

For most travelers the new step will mean one more line to read and sign at check-in. Anyone who has recently been in or near the affected country should check their airline’s instructions ahead of time and allow extra minutes at the airport, especially on itineraries with tight connections.

Sources: Travel And Tour World