Vietnam Airlines announces new rules for passengers flying to US from November 4

Under the new rules, starting at noon on Wednesday (Vietnam time), all passengers and crew members on international flights to the U.S. must provide written confirmation that they have not traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the 21 days preceding their flight, news site Vietnamplus reported.

Each passenger must complete a separate declaration. Parents or legal guardians must complete the form on behalf of children or individuals unable to fill it out themselves.

Passengers who have visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo within 21 days before traveling to the U.S. will be denied boarding on flights to the States, regardless of whether they are U.S. citizens or nationals.

Passengers who have visited South Sudan or Uganda, but not the Democratic Republic of the Congo, within 21 days before traveling to the U.S. will be denied boarding if they are not U.S. citizens or nationals, including Green Card holders.

U.S. citizens and nationals who have visited South Sudan or Uganda, but not the Democratic Republic of the Congo, within the same 21-day period will only be allowed to enter the U.S. through three designated airports with enhanced medical screening: Washington Dulles International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport.

As Vietnam Airlines does not operate flights to these three airports, it will not accept such passengers on its flights to San Francisco International Airport.

Any stop or transit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan or Uganda, even without passengers disembarking from the aircraft, will count as having been present in the respective country.

Vietnam Airlines urged passengers to make the necessary preparations for their journeys and cooperate with the mandatory requirements imposed by U.S. authorities.

Passengers can contact the airline's 24/7 hotline at 1900 1100, its official Facebook page or Zalo account for assistance. They can also seek support at the airline's ticket offices or authorized agents.

The U.S. has stepped up passenger screening and imposed visa restrictions on people arriving from certain African countries after the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo a public health emergency of international concern.