Emirates passengers flying to the United States must complete and sign a new attestation form before check-in, unless they qualify for an official exemption, Gulf News reported on Wednesday.

According to the newspaper, the rule applies to all passengers on flights to the US departing at or after 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on November 3, which is about 10:59 am on November 4 in Bangladesh. It also applies to passengers connecting through the United States.

In the form, passengers confirm that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the 21 days before boarding, Gulf News reported. Emirates said on its website that all the information must be accurate and truthful, the newspaper said.

Each passenger needs a separate form, Gulf News reported. Where permitted, an authorised representative can complete and sign the form on a passenger’s behalf.

Emirates advised passengers to download and print the form from the US government website, complete and sign it before check-in, and carry the paper copy to show at check-in. For passengers connecting through the US, the airline said the form may be checked at the boarding gate, according to Gulf News. The newspaper advised passengers to have the form ready before arriving at the airport to avoid delays.

Gulf News did not say why the form is needed. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the order on October 22 in response to an Ebola outbreak in the DRC, according to the CDC’s order and news reports. The order applies to all airlines on flights to the US from foreign countries.

Airlines must board passengers who present a signed attestation, unless they are exempt. The CDC said willfully giving false or misleading information may lead to criminal fines and imprisonment, according to reports.

Sources: Gulf News