DHS to tighten Ebola-related flight restrictions for some foreign travelers

Politics DHS to tighten Ebola restrictions for foreign travelers coming to U.S. from some African countries By Faris Tanyos, Faris Tanyos News Editor Faris Tanyos is a news editor for CBSNews.com, where he writes and edits stories and tracks breaking news. He previously worked as a digital news producer at several local news stations up and down the West Coast. Read Full Bio Faris Tanyos, Nicole Sganga Nicole Sganga Homeland Security and Justice Correspondent Nicole Sganga is CBS News' homeland security and justice correspondent. She is based in Washington, D.C., and reports for all shows and platforms. Read Full Bio Nicole Sganga May 20, 2026 / 8:48 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google The Department of Homeland Security is set to implement new entry restrictions beginning Thursday for foreign travelers coming to the United States from countries at the center of the latest Ebola outbreak.According to a draft of a new DHS rule scheduled to be published Thursday, all U.S.-bound flights carrying foreign travelers who have been in Congo, Uganda or South Sudan at any point in the previous 21 days will be required to fly into Washington-Dulles International Airport in Virginia.The arrival restrictions, issued at the direction of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, are designed to funnel those travelers to an airport "where the U.S. government is focusing public health resources to implement enhanced public health measures," the rule states.The rule applies only to passenger flights, DHS said, with cargo flights excluded from the restrictions.In a statement provided to CBS News, a DHS spokesperson confirmed the new travel requirements, saying that "to reduce the risk of the Ebola virus spreading," Customs and Border Protection is "enhancing public health screening, travel monitoring, and health protection response activities."The DHS spokesperson added that CBP was coordinating with "airlines, international partners and port-of-entry...