[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 83 (Monday, May 3, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23277-23278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09326]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

19 CFR Chapter I


Termination of Arrival Restrictions Applicable to Flights 
Carrying Persons Who Have Recently Traveled From or Were Otherwise 
Present Within the Democratic Republic of the Congo

AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: Announcement of termination of arrival restrictions.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the decision of the Secretary of 
Homeland Security to terminate arrival restrictions applicable to 
flights to the United States carrying persons who have recently 
traveled from, or were otherwise present within, the Democratic 
Republic of the Congo (DRC). These arrival restrictions were initiated 
due to outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the DRC and in

[[Page 23278]]

the Republic of Guinea. These restrictions directed such flights to 
only land at a limited set of United States airports where the United 
States Government had focused public health resources to implement 
enhanced public health measures. Arrival restrictions applicable to 
flights to the United States carrying persons who have recently 
traveled from, or were otherwise present within, the Republic of Guinea 
remain in effect.

DATES: The arrival restrictions applicable to flights to the United 
States carrying persons who have recently traveled from, or were 
otherwise present within, the DRC are terminated as of 11:59 p.m. 
Eastern Daylight Time on April 29, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alyce Modesto, Office of Field 
Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection at 202-286-8995.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 4, 2021, the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) 
announced arrival restrictions applicable to flights carrying persons 
who have recently traveled from, or were otherwise present within, the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or the Republic of Guinea, 
consistent with 6 U.S.C. 112(a), 19 U.S.C. 1433(c), and 19 CFR 122.32, 
in a Federal Register document titled ``Arrival Restrictions Applicable 
to Flights Carrying Persons Who Have Recently Traveled From or Were 
Otherwise Present Within the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the 
Republic of Guinea'' (``Arrival Restrictions Notice'') (86 FR 12534).
    For the reasons set forth below, the Secretary has decided to 
terminate the arrival restrictions applicable to flights carrying 
persons who have recently traveled from, or were otherwise present 
within, the DRC. These restrictions funnel relevant arriving air 
passengers to one of six designated airports of entry where the U.S. is 
implementing enhanced public health measures. Since March 1, 2021, 
there have been no new confirmed EVD cases reported in the DRC and all 
contacts of cases that were being monitored for EVD have passed the 21-
day incubation period. With no new cases reported in the past 42 days 
(2 incubation periods), no remaining hospitalized patients with EVD, 
and no contacts of confirmed EVD cases still requiring monitoring, the 
potential risk for Ebola virus exposure in the DRC has greatly 
diminished. Therefore, flight restrictions are no longer required for 
flights carrying persons who have recently traveled from, or were 
otherwise present within, the DRC. Because the most recent case of EVD 
in the Republic of Guinea was confirmed on April 3, 2021, the arrival 
restrictions applicable to flights carrying persons who have recently 
traveled from, or were otherwise present within, the Republic of Guinea 
remain in effect.

Notice of Termination of Arrival Restrictions Applicable to All Flights 
Carrying Persons Who Have Recently Traveled From or Were Otherwise 
Present Within the Democratic Republic of the Congo

    Pursuant to 6 U.S.C. 112(a), 19 U.S.C. 1433(c), and 19 CFR 122.32, 
and effective as of 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on April 29, 2021, 
for all affected flights arriving at a United States airport, I hereby 
terminate the arrival restrictions applicable to flights carrying 
persons who have recently traveled from, or were otherwise present 
within, the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced in the Arrival 
Restrictions document published at 86 FR 12534 (March 4, 2021).

Alejandro Mayorkas
Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2021-09326 Filed 4-29-21; 11:15 am]
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