Passengers Must Submit Ebola Declaration to Travel to U.S.; Korean Air Requirement Begins Nov. 4

U.S. administrative order... effective from 1:59 p.m. on Nov. 4

Applies to all U.S.-bound routes, including Guam and Hawaii

Even airport transit counts as a stay in the DRC

Korean Air will require passengers traveling to the United States to submit an Ebola-related declaration form.

Korean Air B777-300ER aircraft. Korean Air

Korean Air said on Nov. 3 that it will require passengers on U.S.-bound flights to submit an Ebola-related declaration form, starting with flights departing at 1:59 p.m. on Nov. 4.

The measure follows an administrative order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent Ebola virus originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from entering the United States. It will take effect at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Nov. 3.

The U.S. CDC requires passengers on all flights departing from abroad for the United States to submit a declaration confirming that they have not visited or stayed in the DRC within the past 21 days. The requirement applies without exception to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, as well as crew members and transit passengers traveling to a third country via the United States.

The declaration is an official statement that passengers must complete and sign before boarding a U.S.-bound flight, confirming that they have not visited or stayed in the DRC within the past 21 days. A stopover at an airport in the DRC, including a transit stop without leaving the airport, also counts as a stay.

Accordingly, passengers who have visited or stayed in the DRC within the past 21 days may not board U.S.-bound flights. Passengers will also be denied boarding if they do not complete the declaration or refuse to submit it. Eligibility to board a U.S.-bound flight is determined by counting the day of departure from the DRC as Day 0. Passengers may travel to the United States from Day 22, after spending 21 full days outside the DRC and the United States.

Each passenger must complete and submit a separate declaration. Families and group travelers may not submit a single declaration on behalf of the whole group; every passenger, including infants and young children, must submit one.

However, a guardian or an authorized adult representative may complete the declaration on behalf of passengers under 18 or those who are unable to complete or sign it themselves due to a physical or mental disability, advanced age, or other reasons. A travel companion or travel agency employee authorized by the passenger to provide the required information may also complete and sign it on the passenger's behalf.

The declaration may be completed on paper or electronically, and passengers must submit it to the airline before checking in on the day of departure. Korean Air plans to strengthen its guidance so that passengers can familiarize themselves with the requirements in advance and prepare their declarations.

The measure is scheduled to remain in effect through Dec. 19 (Korea time), in accordance with CDC guidelines. Korean Air plans to provide updated information if U.S. health authorities change their guidance.

A Korean Air official said, "This measure is mandatory under an administrative order from U.S. health authorities, and all passengers traveling on U.S.-bound flights must cooperate. We will do our utmost to provide guidance so that passengers can familiarize themselves with the requirements in advance and prepare for their trips smoothly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.