The United States will implement, as of this Tuesday, November 3, the requirement that all travelers arriving by plane from abroad, or making a stopover in a third country before entering its territory, sign an affidavit certifying that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (RDC) in the 21 days prior to boarding.
As explained by the order of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this document is mandatory as a public health measure to reduce the risk of Ebola being introduced into the North American country, given that the 21 days correspond to the virus's maximum incubation period.
For the purposes of this regulation, any transit or connection by air, land, or sea is considered a stay in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including making a stopover at an airport, even without leaving the plane or the facilities.
In addition, airlines and operators will be responsible for this new procedure and must verify that the passenger has presented the document before allowing them to board, which may be completed in digital or paper format.
If said affidavit is not completed or presented, companies must prohibit boarding, unless there is an exemption issued by the Government of the United States. False declarations may result in criminal fines and imprisonment.
Advancement of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (RDC) confirmed yesterday Wednesday that the Ebola outbreak declared in mid-May has already surpassed the thresholds of 10,100 cases and 4,900 deaths, amid an expansion of the virus that threatens to make this outbreak the deadliest documented to date worldwide.
The National Institute of Public Health (INSP) has pointed out that to date 10,141 infections and 4,928 deaths have been recorded, including 81 cases and 42 deaths during the last 24 hours, with an overall fatality rate of 48.6%.
Likewise, it has indicated that at this time there are 999 people hospitalized or in isolation and has added that another 2,708 have been discharged after overcoming the disease. The rate of monitoring of patients' contacts stands at 84.5%, on the rise during the last few days.