2020-06241. Order Suspending Introduction of Persons From a Country Where a Communicable Disease Exists

AGENCY:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION:

Notification of order.

SUMMARY:

This document is to inform the public that the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, has issued an Order suspending the introduction of persons into the United States.

DATES:

Effective date: The Order referenced in this document is effective on 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 20th, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kyle McGowan, Office of the Chief of Staff, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS H21-10, Atlanta, GA 30329. Telephone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The CDC Director (Director) has issued an Order pursuant to section 362 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 265. The Order suspends the introduction of certain persons into the United States because the Director has determined that the existence of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in certain foreign countries creates a serious danger of the introduction of the disease into the United States, and the danger is so increased by the introduction of persons from the foreign countries that a temporary suspension of the introduction of such persons is necessary to protect the public health. The Order is posted on the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It will be submitted to the Federal Register for publication.

The Order does not apply to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, persons from foreign countries who hold valid travel documents, or persons from foreign countries in the visa waiver program who are not subject to travel restrictions.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is implementing the Order. The Order also does not apply where a designated customs officer of DHS determines, based on the totality of the circumstances, including consideration of significant law enforcement, officer and public safety, humanitarian, and public health interests, that the Order should not be applied to a specific person otherwise subject to the order.

Finally, the Order does not apply to members of the armed forces of the United States and associated personnel for whom the Secretary of Defense provides assurance to the Director that the Secretary of Defense, through measures such as quarantine, isolation, or other measures for maintaining control over such individuals, is preventing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to others in the United States.

Dated: March 20, 2020.

Alex M. Azar II,

Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.