Traveling During the Pandemic

By Jane Farrell

Travel can increase your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC). If you are considering traveling, whether during the Christmas season or at another time, here are some important questions to ask yourself and your loved ones beforehand.

Are you, someone in your household, or someone you will be visiting at increased risk for getting very sick from COVID-19?

If you get infected you can spread the virus to loved ones during travel and when you return, even if you don’t have symptoms. If your household includes one or more individuals at increased risk for severe illness, all family members should act as if they, themselves are at increased risk.

Are cases high or increasing in your community or your destination? The more cases in your community of origin or at your destination, the more likely you are to get and spread COVID-19 as a result of your door-to-door travel. Check Each State’s Cases in the Last 7 Days.

Are hospitals in your community or your destination overwhelmed with patients who have COVID-19? To find out, check state and local public health department websites.

Does your home or destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers? Check state and local requirements before you travel.

During the 14 days before your travel, have you or those you are visiting had close contact with people they don’t live with?

The following activities, whether in your hometown or traveling, can put you at higher risk for COVID-19:

Going to a large social gathering like a wedding, funeral, or party.

Attending a mass gathering like a sporting event, concert, or parade.

Being in crowds in places like restaurants, bars, fitness centers, or movie theaters.

Being on trains, buses, in airports, or using public transportation.

Traveling on a cruise ship or river boat.

Think it over:

Do your plans include traveling by bus, train, or air, which might make staying 6 feet apart difficult?

Are you traveling with people who don’t live with you?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you should consider making other plans, such as delaying your travel.

If you do decide to travel:

Check travel restrictions before you go.

Get your flu shot before you travel.

Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer.

Know when to delay your travel. Do not travel if you or your travel companions are sick.

Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings, including on public transportation and in transportation hubs such as airports and stations.

Avoid close contact by staying at least six feet apart (about two arm lengths) from anyone who is not from your travel group.

Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).

Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Consider getting tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip. Also consider getting tested with a viral test 3-5 days after your trip and reduce non-essential activities for a full 7 days after travel, even if your test is negative. If you don’t get tested, consider reducing non-essential activities for 10 days after travel.

Keep a copy of your test results with you during travel; you may be asked for them.

Do not travel if you test positive; immediately isolate yourself and follow public health recommendations.

You may have been exposed to COVID-19 on your travels. You and your travel companions (including children) may pose a risk to your family, friends, and community. Regardless of where you traveled or what you did during your trip, take these actions to protect others from getting COVID-19 for 14 days after travel:

Stay at least six feet (about two arm lengths) from anyone who did not travel with you, particularly in crowded areas. It’s important to do this everywhere — both indoors and outdoors.

Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are in shared spaces outside of your home, including when using public transportation.

If there are people in the household who did not travel with you, wear a mask and ask everyone in the household to wear masks in shared spaces inside your home.

Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness.

Watch your health: Look for symptoms of COVID-19, and take your temperature if you feel sick.

Anticipate your needs:

For 14 days before you travel, take everyday precautions like wearing masks, social distancing, and washing your hands.

Bring a mask to wear in public places and on public transportation.

Pack hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Keep this within reach.

Bring enough of your medicine to last you for the entire trip.

Pack food and water in case restaurants and stores are closed, or if drive-through, take-out, and outdoor-dining options aren’t available.

If you are considering cleaning your travel lodgings, see CDC’s guidance on how to clean and disinfect.

Do not travel if you test positive; immediately isolate yourself and follow public health recommendations.

After you’re home again:

You may have been exposed to COVID-19 on your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread the virus to others. You and your travel companions (including children) may pose a risk to your family, friends, and community after your travel.

Consider getting tested with a viral test 3–5 days after your trip and reduce non-essential activities for a full 7 days after travel, even if your test is negative. If you don’t get tested, consider reducing non-essential activities for 10 days.

If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.

Also take these actions for 14 days after you return from travel to protect others from getting COVID-19:

Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who did not travel with you, particularly in crowded areas. It’s important to do this everywhere — both indoors and outdoors.

Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are in shared spaces outside of your home, including when using public transportation.

If there are people in the household who did not travel with you, wear a mask and ask everyone in the household to wear masks in shared spaces inside your home.

Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness.

Watch your health: Look for symptoms of COVID-19 and take your temperature if you feel sick.

For the latest on COVID-19 from the CDC, click here.