Airport Alert: Travel Restrictions for Republic of India and and Democratic Republic of Congo
May 1, 2021
The United States government has implemented or modified travel restrictions for the Republic of India and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Specifically:
Republic of India:
As widely reported in the press, the White House has issued a Presidential proclamation that will restrict the entry of any non-U.S. citizens from entry into the United States who were physically present in the Republic of India within the previous 14 days. This proclamation takes effect at 12:01 am Eastern Daylight Time on May 4, 2021. The proclamation does not apply to persons aboard a flight scheduled to depart before that time. Consistent with previous travel restriction proclamations to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, these limitations do not apply to U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and some other exempt categories (e.g., diplomats and their families, aircrew).
The World Health Organization has reported that the Republic of India has more than 18,375,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including multiple variant strains. Currently, the Republic of India accounts for more than one-third of all new cases globally and new cases are accelerating at a rapid rate.
This proclamation will remain in effect until terminated by the President. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall review the circumstances that warranted this proclamation after 30 days and monthly thereafter and recommend whether the President should continue, modify, or terminate the proclamation.
The Transportation Security Administration has issued a Security Directive and Emergency Amendment for domestic and foreign air carriers to implement the restrictions outlined in the Presidential proclamation.
Democratic Republic of Congo:
Separately, the Department of Homeland Security has terminated arrival restrictions for persons who had recently traveled from or were otherwise present in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These restrictions began on March 4, 2021, in response to the Ebola outbreak. Travelers were required to enter the United States at six airports where additional health screening measures were applied. Because the Democratic Republic of Congo has not had any new Ebola cases for the past 42 days (two incubation periods), these arrival restrictions have been terminated.
Travel restrictions still apply to persons who have recently traveled from or were otherwise present in the Republic of Guinea. That country still is experiencing Ebola cases, with the most recent reported on April 3, 2021.
