Status as of October 14, 2026. CDC has extended existing Ebola-related U.S. entry restrictions through 4:59 p.m. Eastern time on November 10. They apply to many noncitizens, including lawful permanent residents, who were in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan during the preceding 21 days. U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals are not covered.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention renewed the restriction on October 11, citing the continuing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. The order does not add new countries or remove existing exceptions. It continues measures first introduced in May 2026, rather than imposing a new restriction on green-card holders.

The extension took effect at 5 p.m. Eastern time on October 11. CDC filed the document for public inspection on October 14, ahead of scheduled publication in the Federal Register on October 15.

Who can be denied entry?

The rule is based on travel history, not nationality. It covers otherwise nonexempt noncitizens who departed from, or were present in, the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in the 21 days before attempting to enter the United States. A person from one of those countries is not covered on the basis of citizenship alone if the recent-presence condition is not met.

The text expressly includes lawful permanent residents. Having a green card or U.S. visa does not by itself provide an exemption. The order restricts entry; it does not itself cancel a visa or terminate permanent resident status. The May 2026 amendment to 42 CFR 71.40 removed the earlier categorical exemption for lawful permanent residents.

CDC also declined to create a general exception for travelers who only passed through one of the listed countries. Its October notice says an individual exposure assessment would be difficult to carry out consistently across international travel.

Who is exempt?

U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals are excluded. The order also provides for certain U.S. military and government personnel, associated personnel and qualifying family members when required public-health assurances are in place.

Other exceptions are discretionary. A customs officer may authorize one with supervisory approval after considering law-enforcement, safety, humanitarian or public-health interests. CDC may also provisionally grant an exception, subject to a public-health assessment at entry under a DHS-approved process. Neither route guarantees admission.

Why did CDC extend the restrictions?

CDC reported 8,665 confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola cases and 4,178 deaths in the DRC as of October 5, up from 6,779 cases and 3,267 deaths cited in the previous order. The agency said the outbreak had spread to additional areas while contact tracing remained below its target.

Uganda completed its enhanced monitoring period in August, and South Sudan had reported no confirmed cases in the current outbreak. CDC nevertheless kept both countries on the list because of regional travel and the risk of cross-border spread. The notice also cited a fatal imported case announced by Kenya on October 6 involving travel through Uganda from the DRC.

What happens next?

The order is set to expire at 4:59 p.m. Eastern time on November 10, 2026, unless CDC modifies or withdraws it sooner. CDC says it will reassess the outbreak and whether continued restrictions are justified. Public comments may be submitted through docket CDC-2026-0892 for 15 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Frequently asked questions

Are green-card holders subject to the order?

Yes. The CDC order expressly includes lawful permanent residents who were in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan during the previous 21 days, unless an exemption or discretionary exception applies.

Does an airport transit through one of the countries count?

The order has no blanket transit exemption. CDC retained a rule based on physical presence and declined to replace it with individual exposure assessments. How the rule applies to a particular itinerary may require case-specific review.

When does the current order expire?

Unless CDC amends or rescinds it earlier, the extension remains in effect through 4:59 p.m. Eastern time on November 10, 2026.

Official sources

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