Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo took to Instagram on Saturday, providing more details about what local residents can expect after the U.S. Department of State announced a day earlier that all flights carrying passengers who have recently been to the Democratic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan must land at one of three designated enhanced-screen airports. The airports include Washington Dulles International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and IAH; the restrictions go into effect around midnight May 26.

“If somebody doesn’t have a U.S. passport and they’ve been in one of those three countries in the past 21 days, they will not be allowed to board a flight to the U.S.,” Hidalgo said. “Let’s say that there’s a mistake somewhere and they get on the plane, or that it’s somebody who has a U.S. passport … they will be diverted to one of three airports, one of them being IAH.”

The county judge said once a passenger arrives in Houston, what happens next depends on the circumstance. A symptomatic person would be quarantined and tested. For asymptomatic passengers, Hidalgo said officials would “be in touch.”

“I’ve made sure that Harris County Public Health has the people, has the resources to do any follow ups, any contact tracing,” Hidalgo said. “For better or for worse … we’ve flexed that muscle before, right? During COVID.” 

Hidalgo clarified that compared to COVID-19, which spread worldwide in 2020 and led to a reported 7 million deaths and quarantines, Ebola is less transmissible. 

“It’s really transmissible in the late stages of the disease or even post mortem,” Hidalgo said. “If there’s somebody on a flight or at a game, they’re not in the late stages of the disease … so, that’s why it’s very different.” 

While the county judge said she understands the concerns, she said the county is taking all necessary precautions. She assured Harris County residents there is “low risk” for an outbreak.

“If there is a case identified, know that I will share that as soon as humanely possible,” Hidalgo said. “I really believe in airing on the side of transparency.” 

County officials will continue to explain and share further information in the coming weeks, especially as Houston looks forward to welcoming crowds for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Moreover, the national club of the Democratic Republic of the Congo—an origin country of the current outbreak—is scheduled to set up base camp in Houston during the length of their time in the World Cup tournament. 

“We worked very closely together with the Trump administration, the federal government, the state government, the City of Houston, Harris County during COVID,” Hidalgo said. “I trust that the working relationship is going to be really strong now around the World Cup … whether it’s Ebola (or) measles, we have a good working relationship, and so far that’s still the case.”