On March 25, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), published in the Federal Register an interim final rule with a request for comments [Docket No. CDC-2020-0033] to amend its Foreign Quarantine Regulations. This interim final rule provides a procedure for CDC to suspend the introduction of persons from designated countries or places, if required, in the interest of public health. Current regulations permit CDC to quarantine or isolate persons entering the United States, but they do not address the suspension of the introduction of persons into the United States under section 362 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S. Code 265).

  • Effective date: This interim final rule is effective on 11:59 pm EDT on March 20, 2020.
  • Comment date: Written comments are invited and must be submitted on or before 30 days from the date of publication of this interim final rule in the Federal Register.
  • Expiration Date: Unless extended after consideration of submitted comments, this interim final rule will cease to be in effect on the earlier of (1) one year from the publication of this interim final rule, or (2) when the HHS Secretary determines there is no longer a need for this interim final rule. The Secretary will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the expiration date.