United States: CDC Extends Entry Ban for Foreign Nationals Recently in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan for An Additional 30 Days and Adds U.S. Citizen Travel Restrictions

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has further extended its existing entry ban, issued in response to the recent Ebola outbreak in Africa, for another 30 days to September 11, 2026; the ban was scheduled to expire on August 12. The CDC extension order continues to apply to foreign national travelers who have departed from or were otherwise present within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days, regardless of their country of origin. The order does not apply to U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals, among other narrow exceptions. The extended entry ban took effect on August 12, 2026, and will remain in effect through 4:59 pm ET on Friday, September 11, 2026 unless the CDC amends the order prior to that time.

Further, the latest guidance posted on the CDC website includes additional details that are outside the scope of the entry ban extension order. The CDC website guidance adds restrictions for U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals as follows:

• U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals, who have been in DRC within 21 days before departure will not be permitted to board commercial flights with U.S. destinations.
• U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who have been present in Uganda or South Sudan (and not present in DRC) within 21 days of arrival in the United States must only enter through designated airports for enhanced screening.

Given the dynamic situation and evolving restrictions due to the Ebola outbreak, travelers should review the latest on the CDC website before finalizing any travel plans.

Background

The CDC initially issued a public health entry ban order in May 2026, citing the recent Ebola outbreak in Africa. The initial order did not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. lawful permanent residents, among others. Shortly after, the CDC expanded the entry ban to include lawful permanent residents and reissued the entry ban order. The ban has been continually extended and is now set to expire on September 11 based on this latest order.