The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new order extending existing Ebola-related travel restrictions for an additional 30 days.
The new order took effect on September 11, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT and will remain in effect through October 11, 2026, unless modified or rescinded sooner.
Restrictions Continue for Travelers Linked to DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan
The CDC continues to prohibit entry of certain covered non-U.S. nationals who have:
- Departed from; or
- Been physically present in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan within the previous 21 days.
The order applies regardless of nationality and remains part of the federal government’s effort to reduce the risk of importing Ebola disease into the United States.
CDC Responds to Public Comments
The agency received public comments challenging portions of the restrictions, including:
- Requests for more individualized assessments;
- Recommendations for testing and monitoring instead of entry restrictions;
- Objections to including airport-transit passengers; and
- Concerns involving lawful permanent residents.
CDC rejected those proposals and concluded that broader restrictions remain necessary because of:
- Resource limitations;
- The scale of the outbreak;
- Operational concerns;
- The difficulty of conducting individualized assessments for all travelers; and
- Continuing public health risks.
Exemptions Remain Available
As with prior orders, the restrictions do not apply to:
- U.S. citizens;
- U.S. nationals;
- Certain military and government personnel;
- Individuals approved under limited humanitarian, public health, or law enforcement exceptions; and
- Certain CDC-approved exception cases.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news becomes available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.