State Travel Restrictions During COVID-19: A Complete Guide

Pandemic travel restrictions continue to shift—and not just internationally. Domestically, states have imposed ever-changing requirements on visitors. The good news? As more Americans become vaccinated, the path to safely traveling—domestically and abroad—continues to open up, with fewer and fewer states requiring testing and quarantines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that fully vaccinated individuals can travel at “low risk to themselves” and such travelers no longer need to get tested before departing on a trip, nor do they need to quarantine upon return. That is, unless state or local restrictions say otherwise.

To help you keep track of these ever-changing rules, we've rounded up the states with domestic travel guidelines, and we're continuing to update this frequently. Read on for our complete guide to COVID-19 state travel restrictions.

Alaska

As of mid-May, visitors to Alaska no longer have to complete a health declaration or undergo testing: According to officials, “the State of Alaska has no special entry or travel testing requirements.” The state of Alaska does, however, recommend that unvaccinated visitors get tested for COVID-19 before travel to Alaska, or for free upon arrival; select airports in the state are also offering free vaccines on arrival. Testing is not recommended for anyone who has recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days prior. Fully vaccinated travelers (those two weeks out from their final shot) are not advised to test or quarantine. All travelers are encouraged to read up on local and borough restrictions.

Alaska

Alaska

Alaska
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California

Since the state of California fully reopened on June 15, there is no longer a travel advisory nor entry requirements in effect. That means travelers do not need to test and quarantine before or after travel. Officials do recommend, however, that unvaccinated travelers delay visiting the state until after they have been fully vaccinated. Any unvaccinated travelers who choose to come to the state are asked to get tested before and after their trip. All travelers should continue to wear a mask while on public transportation or while inside a transportation hub.

Hawaii

As of July 8, fully vaccinated travelers arriving to the Hawaiian Islands from the U.S. and its territories can bypass quarantine without a pre-travel COVID-19 test. Vaccination records must be uploaded to an accepted vaccine passport app and printed out prior to departure; travelers must also have a hard copy in hand when arriving in Hawaii. Accepted vaccine passport apps include the state’s Safe Travels app, Clear’s mobile health passport, or CommonPass, though travelers who use the official state app will receive expedited processing in the airport on arrival.

Travelers arriving from Japan, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, and Tahiti, as well as unvaccinated American tourists, must show a negative pre-travel test in order to avoid a 10-day quarantine period. Tests must be administered by a Trusted Testing and Travel Partner and taken no more than 72 hours before the final leg of the trip. Test results must be uploaded to the Safe Travels app or printed out prior to departure; travelers must have a hard copy in hand when arriving in Hawaii.

Any traveler without a U.S. vaccination or a negative pre-travel test result, or those arriving from countries other than those listed above, must quarantine for 10 days. Officials say that when the state reaches a 70 percent vaccination rate, all Hawaii travel restrictions will be lifted. (The state is currently estimated to be at about 60 percent vaccination.)

Illinois

While there aren’t any state travel restrictions in place, Illinois's largest city, Chicago, has its own travel advisory for out-of-state visitors and residents. States with more than 15 daily cases per 100,000 people are categorized as “orange,” meaning that unvaccinated travelers visiting Chicago from those states will be required to either quarantine for 10 days upon entering the city, or arrive with a negative test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Vaccinated visitors do not need to test or quarantine. As of July 27, there are currently 14 states and one territory on Chicago’s “orange” list. View the list here.

States with less than 15 daily cases per 100,000 people are marked “yellow,” A color-coded map, denoting which states are red, orange, or yellow, can be found here.

Kansas

Kansas officials have mandated a quarantine for those arriving from locations or situations they consider high-risk, and the length of quarantine depends on whether or not you have been tested for COVID, per CDC guidelines. Currently, “high risk” travelers include anyone who has traveled on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, has recently attended an out-of-state gathering of 500 people or greater where individuals did not social distance and wear masks, or has visited a number of other countries, including the U.K., Colombia, Seychelles, British Virgin Islands, Fiji, and others. The full list was last updated on July 29 and is reassessed every two weeks.

Maine

As of May 1, Maine lifted requirements for testing and self-quarantine for travelers from all states. This could change, however, if any states are determined non-exempt by the Maine CDC; currently there are no states on the non-exempt list, which can be found here. Any states that join the list would become subject to testing before arrival or an alternative 10-day quarantine period.

Massachusetts

Anyone who is vaccinated can resume normal travel to Massachusetts. The state’s travel page refers travelers to CDC information in order to make a decision on when to avoid travel.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire recently lifted its quarantine requirement for domestic travelers, though international arrivals and those who have traveled on a cruise ship are asked to self-quarantine for 10 days after the last day of such travel (this can be shortened by a test taken on day six or seven). Essential travel to and from Canada is exempt from this requirement. Those who are fully vaccinated, or who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, are also exempt from those situations.

New York

As of June 25, 2021, New York state’s travel advisory is no longer in effect, meaning travelers arriving in New York are no longer required to submit health forms. State officials still recommend both domestic and international travelers follow CDC travel guidelines.

The state rolled out Excelsior Pass, a voluntary vaccine passport, in April. It is not required for entry to the state. Some venues within New York say they will use it to confirm negative COVID-19 tests or proof of a vaccination (read all about it here).

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico
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Puerto Rico

Fully vaccinated travelers arriving to Puerto Rico on U.S. domestic flights are required to upload their official vaccination card to the island’s travel declaration form portal. (A copy of a vaccination card will not be accepted.)

Non-vaccinated travelers on domestic flights and all international travelers (regardless of vaccination status) are required to show proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. There is also a back-up option to test within 48 hours of landing, quarantine until the results come in, and upload the PCR or antigen result to the travel declaration form portal. If travelers don’t upload the test within 48 hours, they will receive a $300 fine. If the uploaded test is negative, quarantine is lifted; if it’s positive, the traveler must follow local isolation protocol at their own expense.

Rhode Island

The state of Rhode Island no longer requires domestic or international travelers to test or quarantine upon arrival, regardless of vaccination status. But officials still do recommend unvaccinated U.S. travelers get tested within three to five days of arrival and quarantine for seven days.

Vermont

Visitors to Vermont no longer need to test or quarantine unless they are traveling internationally. The state advises vaccinated visitors carry their vaccine card with them, and notes that masks are still required in public places.

Washington, D.C.

Unvaccinated travelers entering the District of Columbia are asked to show a negative test taken within one to three days of travel. Those who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days, and people visiting for less than 24 hours, are exempt.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Additional reporting by Jessica Puckett.

We’re reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find our latest coronavirus coverage here, or visit our complete guide to COVID-19 and travel.

Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler