US blocks flights for travelers recently in DR Congo over Ebola

The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 advisory for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and announced new Ebola-related restrictions: U.S. citizens and nationals who have been in the DRC within the past 21 days cannot board commercial flights to the United States. Affected travelers must stay outside the DRC for 21 days before flying to the U.S. Consular services in the DRC are also limited. No specific start date for the measures is given.

The U.S. Department of State has raised its travel advisory for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Level 4, advising against all travel because of health, crime, unrest, terrorism and kidnapping risks. Alongside the advisory, U.S. authorities have put new flight restrictions in place connected to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

Under these measures, U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who have been in the DRC within the previous 21 days cannot board commercial flights bound for the United States. Anyone in this group must stay outside the DRC for 21 days before boarding a flight to the U.S. The State Department also notes that in-person emergency consular help in the DRC is limited, particularly outside Kinshasa.

What this means for travelers

• If you are a U.S. citizen or national and have been in the DRC in the last 21 days, you will not be allowed to board a commercial flight to the United States.
• Plan to spend 21 days outside the DRC before any U.S.-bound flight.
• U.S. government emergency consular services in the DRC are limited, especially outside Kinshasa.
• Check CDC guidance for travelers returning from Ebola-affected areas before you travel.