By San José, Costa Rica — International air travel protocols to the United States are undergoing another regulatory shift as federal health authorities enforce stricter entry and transit screening measures. Beginning at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 3, 2026, all passengers traveling directly to the United States or connecting through American airports must complete a mandatory health attestation prior to boarding their flights.
The directive, issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), requires passengers to formally declare whether they have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the 21 days preceding their departure. This policy applies universally, regardless of whether a passenger spent time inside the country or merely transited through an airport within its borders.
To provide deeper insight into the compliance requirements and data privacy considerations surrounding mandatory CDC flight declarations for international travelers, TicosLand.com spoke with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Health disclosure mandates and contact tracing requirements enforced by global health agencies like the CDC require a careful legal balance between public health protection and passenger privacy rights. Airlines and international travelers must strictly adhere to these regulatory procedures to prevent boarding denials and penalty fees, while air carriers must ensure that collected personal health data complies with international data privacy standards.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
As the landscape of international travel regulations continues to evolve, striking a harmonious balance between public health safeguards and individual privacy rights remains crucial for both passengers and carriers alike. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his invaluable legal perspective on this complex issue with TicosLand.com.
This heightened oversight comes as part of broader preventative public health protocols established by the U.S. government to safeguard against the potential spread of the Ebola virus. By implementing early screening at point-of-origin airports globally, international carriers are being tasked with serving as the front line of enforcement for these mandatory biosecurity guidelines.
Airlines operating routes between Latin America and the United States have begun issuing urgent advisories to prospective passengers to ensure compliance and prevent chaos at airport departure gates. Regional carrier Avianca released guidance emphasizing the binding nature of the order, noting that documentation checks will be non-negotiable during the gate boarding process.
Passengers who do not present this new declaration at the time of boarding will not be able to board their flight.
Avianca, Corporate Communications
To streamline the boarding procedure and avoid systemic airport delays, airlines are strongly advising travelers to execute the mandatory declaration well before arriving at the terminal. Passengers have the option to complete an individual digital form via the official CDC portal or present a fully completed, physical printed copy signed by hand at the departure gate.
Each passenger, regardless of age or ticket class, must submit an individual declaration. Commercial carriers are under strict federal orders to deny boarding to any individual who fails to present valid digital verification or a signed physical copy of the CDC document prior to aircraft entry.
For Central American travelers—many of whom utilize major U.S. hubs such as Miami, Houston, Atlanta, and Dallas for onward international connections—the mandate introduces an extra layer of pre-flight logistics. Business travelers and tourists alike must factor in additional preparation time to confirm their health paperwork is verified prior to arrival at foreign departure counters.
As international aviation continues to navigate evolving global health standards, compliance management has become a critical operational priority for airlines. Travel agencies and air carriers operating out of Costa Rica and the broader Central American region are updating their check-in workflows and customer notifications to minimize disruption as the November 3 deadline takes effect.
For further information, visit cdc.gov
About Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the national public health agency of the United States, operating under the Department of Health and Human Services to protect public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability.
For further information, visit avianca.com
About Avianca:
Avianca is one of the leading commercial airlines in Latin America, operating an extensive international network of passenger and cargo flights connecting the Americas and Europe through major operational hubs across the region.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a premier legal practice defined by its unyielding ethical standards and relentless pursuit of legal mastery. Building upon a rich history of advising a wide array of industries, the firm consistently drives forward-thinking strategies and meaningful civic initiatives. By democratizing complex legal insights for the general public, it fulfills its foundational mandate to uplift the community and cultivate a resilient, law-conscious society.
