The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted travel plans, with many countries imposing restrictions on both domestic and international travel. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines for travellers to prevent the spread of the virus. These guidelines include recommendations such as mask-wearing, physical distancing, appropriate ventilation, and timely testing. While there is no mandatory quarantine requirement for travellers arriving in the US, the CDC recommends getting tested 3-5 days after travel and self-quarantining for 7 days, or 10 days if you don't get tested. Additionally, all air passengers entering the US must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days of departure or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 3 months. These precautions are crucial to ensure the safety of both travellers and the local community.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Who should self-isolate? | Anyone who has been in close contact with someone with COVID-19. |
How long should you self-isolate for? | 14 days. |
What if I've recently recovered from COVID-19? | You do not need to self-isolate or get tested for COVID-19 unless you develop symptoms. |
What if I'm travelling by plane? | You cannot fly home until the self-isolation period is over. |
What if I'm travelling by car? | Drive home without stops other than to refuel and use the restroom. |
What if I'm hosting guests? | Guests should self-isolate for 14 days and limit their interactions to your household. |
What if I'm travelling to New York? | You must obtain a test within three days of departure, then quarantine for three days. On day 4, take another test. If both tests are negative, you can end your quarantine early. |
What if I'm travelling to Washington? | Persons arriving in Washington from other states or countries, including returning Washington residents, should self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival. |
What if I'm travelling internationally? | All air passengers entering the U.S., including fully vaccinated people, must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen test) conducted within the 3 days before departure or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 3 months. |
What if I'm travelling domestically? | You do not need to get tested before or after travel, and you do not need to self-isolate after travel. |
What You'll Learn
Wear a mask on public transport and indoors at transport hubs
Wearing a mask on public transport and indoors at transport hubs is a critical part of reducing the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order on January 29, 2021, requiring masks to be worn by all people while on public transportation and at transportation hubs in the United States. This includes passengers, crew, drivers, conductors, and other workers.
The CDC order applies to all public transportation conveyances, such as airplanes, trains, subways, buses, taxis, ride-shares, ferries, ships, trolleys, cable cars, and school buses. It also applies to transportation hubs like airports, bus terminals, train and subway stations, seaports, U.S. ports of entry, and dedicated ride-share pick-up locations.
The CDC recommends that people wear masks that completely cover the mouth and nose. Masks should fit snugly against the sides of the face. Face shields do not provide the same protection as masks and should not be used as a substitute. However, they can be worn in addition to a mask.
It is important to note that there are some circumstances when masks can be temporarily removed, such as when eating, drinking, taking medication, or communicating with someone who is hearing-impaired. Masks may also be removed if they interfere with necessary medical care or oxygen masks are required due to cabin pressure issues.
Additionally, certain individuals are exempt from the mask requirement, including children under 2 years of age, people with disabilities who cannot wear a mask, and those for whom wearing a mask would create a workplace risk.
While the CDC order has been amended to no longer require masks in outdoor areas of transportation conveyances or transportation hubs, the CDC still recommends that people who are not fully vaccinated wear masks in these areas.
It is worth noting that some states and localities may have additional or more restrictive mask requirements, and these should be followed accordingly.
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Get a negative COVID-19 test within 3 days of departure
If you're travelling to the United States, it's important to get a negative COVID-19 test within 3 days of your departure. This applies to all passengers over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status. The test result must be negative or show as 'not detected'. An 'invalid' result will not be accepted.
There are several types of tests accepted by the US authorities, including antigen, NAAT, RT-LAMP, RT-PCR and TMA. The test result must include the passenger's name and date of birth, which must match the details on their passport or other travel documents.
It's important to note that there are some exemptions to this rule. For example, it does not apply to US military personnel or passengers who have a medical certificate showing a positive COVID-19 test result from within the last three months. In the latter case, a letter from a health authority, stating that the passenger has been cleared for travel, is also required.
To ensure a smooth journey, it is advisable to check the specific requirements for your destination, as well as any transit locations, before you travel. Different states and countries may have different rules and requirements. It is also a good idea to monitor your health and, if you feel unwell, to avoid travelling and get tested for COVID-19.
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Quarantine for 14 days after arrival
Quarantine is an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Here are some instructions to follow if you are quarantining for 14 days after arrival:
Before Your Trip
- If possible, get vaccinated. Fully vaccinated people are less likely to get and spread COVID-19.
- If you are not fully vaccinated, delay your trip until you are. If you must travel, get a COVID-19 viral test 1-3 days before your trip.
- Do not travel if you are ill, if your test result is positive, if you are waiting for your test result, or if you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
- If you are travelling by plane, you will need to present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days before your flight or proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the past three months.
- If you are travelling by car, ensure you can drive home without stops other than to refuel and use the restroom.
- If you are travelling with children, they will need a Passenger Locator Form if required by your destination.
During Your Trip
- Wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose when using public transportation and when in transportation hubs.
- Follow U.S. state and local recommendations and requirements for masking, physical distancing, and testing.
- Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid crowds and close contact by staying at least 6 feet away from anyone who is not in your household or living unit.
After Your Trip
- Get tested 3-5 days after travel and stay home for 7 days. Even with a negative test result, stay home for the full 7 days.
- If you don't get tested, it's safest to stay home for 10 days after travel.
- Monitor yourself for symptoms for 14 days after travel. Isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms of COVID-19.
- Avoid being around people at increased risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 for 14 days after your return.
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Monitor symptoms for 14 days and isolate if you develop any
If you have travelled to the United States from another country, it is important to monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after you arrive. This is because you may have been exposed to the virus during your travels, and symptoms can take up to 14 days to develop. By monitoring your symptoms and isolating if you develop any, you can help prevent the spread of the virus to others.
So, what does this look like in practice? Firstly, you should be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19, which can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, and diarrhoea. If you develop any of these symptoms, no matter how mild, you should isolate yourself immediately. This means staying at home and away from others as much as possible. If you live with others, try to stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom if available. Avoid sharing personal items, and wear a mask if you need to be around others.
It is also important to get tested for COVID-19 if you develop symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider or local health department to find out where you can get tested. While you are waiting for your test results, continue to isolate and monitor your symptoms. If your test comes back positive, follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider or local health department. This may include extending your isolation period and notifying anyone you have been in close contact with.
In addition to monitoring yourself for symptoms, it is important to practice other COVID-19 safety measures during your 14-day monitoring period. This includes wearing a mask in public indoor settings and in crowded outdoor settings, maintaining physical distancing, avoiding crowds and close contact with others, and washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using hand sanitizer. By following these measures, you can help reduce your risk of exposure to the virus and protect yourself and others.
Remember, even if you are fully vaccinated or have recently recovered from COVID-19, it is still important to monitor yourself for symptoms and isolate if you develop any. While vaccination and previous infection can provide some protection, it is still possible to get infected and spread the virus to others. So, stay vigilant and follow the recommended guidelines to help keep yourself and those around you safe.
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Avoid non-essential travel
The CDC and President Joe Biden recommend that all people delay travelling domestically or internationally until they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This means two weeks after your final dose of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine or the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. If you are not fully vaccinated, you should get a COVID-19 viral test 1-3 days before travelling.
The CDC and the US State Department urge Americans to reconsider non-essential travel abroad. The CDC recommends that travellers get tested three to five days after travel and stay at home or in a hotel to self-quarantine for seven days post-travel, regardless of the test result. If you don't get tested after the trip, the CDC says "it's safest" to stay at home for 10 days.
In Washington, the Governor's November 13, 2020, COVID-19 Travel Advisory remains in effect. Persons arriving in Washington from other states or countries, including returning Washington residents, should self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival and limit their interactions to their immediate household. Washingtonians are encouraged to stay home or in their region and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries. Non-essential travel includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature.
The US Embassy in Italy has also announced that travel to Italy for non-essential purposes must be avoided due to the current Coronavirus situation. The CDC has issued a Level 3 Notice for Italy regarding the COVID-19 situation, which also recommends that travellers avoid trips to Italy unless necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
If you start to feel sick, you should isolate yourself to protect others from infection. This applies even if you are fully vaccinated. You should also get tested for COVID-19.
All air passengers entering the U.S., including U.S. citizens, must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen test) conducted within 3 days before departure or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the past 3 months.
If you know that you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, stay home (quarantine) and postpone further travel. You and your travel companions (including children) pose a risk to your family, friends, and community for 14 days after exposure.